Celina Mikolajczak

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Celina J. Mikolajczak is an American electrical engineer known for her work in industry on the development of improved electric batteries, especially for electric vehicles. [1] She is Chief Battery Technology Officer at Lyten, and a member of the board of advisors at Voltaiq. [2] She is also known for her discoveries as an amateur astronomer when she was a student. [3]

Contents

Education and astronomy

Mikolajczak is one of three children of Alojzy A. Mikolajczak, an aerospace engineer specializing in compressors and jet engines. After graduating in 1987 from Coronado High School, near San Diego, California, [3] she studied engineering and applied sciences as an undergraduate at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech), [1] originally intending to follow her father into aerospace engineering. [3]

She discovered several asteroids in 1988, including 5256 Farquhar, [4] and in 1989, when she was a sophomore at Caltech, she gained time on the Palomar Observatory to search for more. Instead, she became the first to spot supernova SN 1989N, in NGC 3646, a spiral galaxy in the Leo constellation. [3] She later cited Eleanor F. Helin, her faculty mentor on this project, as her most influential female role model at Caltech. [5]

After graduating from Caltech in 1991 [5] and working in the oil industry, she went to Princeton University, where she earned a master's degree in mechanical engineering, focusing on the efficiency of internal combustion engines. [1]

Career in battery engineering

Mikolajczak began working at consulting firm Exponent in 1999. [1] Her interest in batteries began there with work on the safety and failure modes of the lithium-ion rechargeable batteries used in consumer electronics. [2] She was hired in 2012 by Tesla, Inc., [1] where she became head of Cell Quality and Materials Engineering. [2] After six years at Tesla, in 2018, she moved to Uber [6] as Director of Battery Engineering, [2] ostensibly as part of an effort to develop electric flying cars. [6]

She became vice president for engineering and battery technology at Panasonic Energy of North America, a branch of Panasonic that supplies batteries to Tesla, in 2019. [7] Next, in 2021, [8] she became vice president for manufacturing at QuantumScape, another electric car battery supplier, [2] only to leave after less than a year over a "management style mismatch". [8] She took her present position at Lyten in 2022, working there on lithium–sulfur batteries. [9] [10]

Book

Mikolajczak is a coauthor of the book Lithium-Ion Batteries Hazard and Use Assessment (with Michael Kahn, Kevin White, and Richard Thomas Long, Springer, 2012). Originally produced by Exponent as a report for the National Fire Protection Association, it reviews the literature on the subject, assesses the potential hazards of these batteries, and "lays out a research approach toward evaluating appropriate facility fire protection strategies". Subsequent experiments based on that approach tested the flammability of these batteries and the effectiveness of building sprinkler systems at battling their fires. [11]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lithium-ion battery</span> Rechargeable battery type

A lithium-ion or Li-ion battery is a type of rechargeable battery which uses the reversible intercalation of Li+ ions into electronically conducting solids to store energy. In comparison with other rechargeable batteries, Li-ion batteries are characterized by a higher specific energy, higher energy density, higher energy efficiency, longer cycle life and longer calendar life. Also noteworthy is a dramatic improvement in lithium-ion battery properties after their first market introduction in 1991: within the next 30 years their volumetric energy density increased 3-fold, while their cost dropped 10-fold.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rechargeable battery</span> Type of electrical battery

A rechargeable battery, storage battery, or secondary cell, is a type of electrical battery which can be charged, discharged into a load, and recharged many times, as opposed to a disposable or primary battery, which is supplied fully charged and discarded after use. It is composed of one or more electrochemical cells. The term "accumulator" is used as it accumulates and stores energy through a reversible electrochemical reaction. Rechargeable batteries are produced in many different shapes and sizes, ranging from button cells to megawatt systems connected to stabilize an electrical distribution network. Several different combinations of electrode materials and electrolytes are used, including lead–acid, zinc–air, nickel–cadmium (NiCd), nickel–metal hydride (NiMH), lithium-ion (Li-ion), lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4), and lithium-ion polymer.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">AC Propulsion tzero</span> Motor vehicle

The tzero is a handmade electric sports car designed and built in very limited numbers by the U.S. company AC Propulsion in the early 2000s. It was the direct predecessor of the Tesla line of electric cars. The tzero was based on the Piontek Sportech kit car, which consists of a fiberglass body built over a reinforced steel space frame with double wishbone independent suspension and rack and pinion steering. AC Propulsion added the AC-150 drivetrain, a single-speed electric system with an overall gear ratio of 9:1.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sodium–sulfur battery</span> Type of molten-salt battery

A sodium–sulfur (NaS) battery is a type of molten-salt battery that uses liquid sodium and liquid sulfur electrodes. This type of battery has a similar energy density to lithium-ion batteries, and is fabricated from inexpensive and non-toxic materials. However, due to the high operating temperature required, as well as the highly corrosive and reactive nature of sodium and sodium polysulfides, these batteries are primarily suited for stationary energy storage applications, rather than for use in vehicles. Molten Na-S batteries are scalable in size: there is a 1 MW microgrid support system on Catalina Island CA (USA) and a 50 MW/300 MWh system in Fukuoka, Kyusyu, (Japan).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lithium metal battery</span> Non-rechargeable battery using lithium metal as anode

Lithium metal batteries are primary batteries that have metallic lithium as an anode. These types of batteries are also referred to as lithium-metal batteries after lithium-ion batteries had been invented. Most lithium metal batteries are non-rechargeable. However, rechargeable lithium metal batteries are also under development. Since 2007, Dangerous Goods Regulations differentiate between lithium metal batteries and lithium-ion batteries.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tesla, Inc.</span> American electric vehicle and clean energy company

Tesla, Inc. is an American multinational automotive and clean energy company headquartered in Austin, Texas, which designs and manufactures electric vehicles, stationary battery energy storage devices from home to grid-scale, solar panels and solar shingles, and related products and services. Its subsidiary Tesla Energy develops and is a major installer of photovoltaic systems in the United States and is one of the largest global suppliers of battery energy storage systems with 6.5 gigawatt-hours (GWh) installed in 2022.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lithium iron phosphate battery</span> Type of rechargeable battery

The lithium iron phosphate battery or LFP battery is a type of lithium-ion battery using lithium iron phosphate as the cathode material, and a graphitic carbon electrode with a metallic backing as the anode. Because of their lower cost, high safety, low toxicity, long cycle life and other factors, LFP batteries are finding a number of roles in vehicle use, utility-scale stationary applications, and backup power. LFP batteries are cobalt-free. As of September 2022, LFP type battery market share for EVs reached 31%, and of that, 68% was from Tesla and Chinese EV maker BYD production alone. Chinese manufacturers currently hold a near monopoly of LFP battery type production. With patents having started to expire in 2022 and the increased demand for cheaper EV batteries, LFP type production is expected to rise further and surpass lithium nickel manganese cobalt oxides (NMC) type batteries in 2028.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">J. B. Straubel</span> American businessman

Jeffrey Brian Straubel is an American businessman and electrical engineer. He spent 15 years at Tesla, as chief technical officer until moving to an advisory role in July 2019. In 2023, he was elected to the company's board of directors.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Electric vehicle battery</span> Battery used to power the electric motors of a battery electric vehicle or hybrid electric vehicle

An electric vehicle battery is a rechargeable battery used to power the electric motors of a battery electric vehicle (BEV) or hybrid electric vehicle (HEV).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Plug-in electric vehicle fire incidents</span> Type of vehicle incident

Numerous plug-in electric vehicle (EV) fire incidents have taken place since the introduction of mass-production plug-in electric vehicles. As a result of these incidents, the United States Department of Transportation's National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) conducted a study in 2017 to establish whether lithium-ion batteries in plug-electric vehicles pose an exceptional fire hazard. The research looked at whether the high-voltage batteries can cause fires when they are being charged, and when the vehicles are involved in an accident.

Regarding the risk of electrochemical failure, [this] report concludes that the propensity and severity of fires and explosions from the accidental ignition of flammable electrolytic solvents used in Li-ion battery systems are anticipated to be somewhat comparable to or perhaps slightly less than those for gasoline or diesel vehicular fuels. The overall consequences for Li-ion batteries are expected to be less because of the much smaller amounts of flammable solvent released and burning in a catastrophic failure situation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gigafactory Nevada</span> Tesla, Inc. factory

Gigafactory Nevada is a lithium-ion battery and electric vehicle component factory in Storey County, Nevada, United States. The facility, located east of Reno, is owned and operated by Tesla, Inc. The factory supplies battery packs and drivetrain components for the company's electric vehicles, produces the Tesla Powerwall home energy storage device, and assembles the Tesla Semi. If fully built out, the building will have the largest footprint in the world.

Gigafactory is a generic term that refers to a manufacturing facility where components and products associated with electrification and decarbonization technologies are produced.

Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. Limited, abbreviated as CATL, is a Chinese battery manufacturer and technology company founded in 2011 that specializes in the manufacturing of lithium-ion batteries for electric vehicles and energy storage systems, as well as battery management systems (BMS). With a market share of 32.6% in 2021, CATL is the biggest lithium-ion battery manufacturer for EVs in the world. In 2022, it increased its market share to 37%.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Maria Helena Braga</span>

Maria Helena Sousa Soares de Oliveira Braga is an associate professor at the Engineering Physics Department of University of Porto, Portugal. She is currently focused on research areas in Materials Science and Materials Engineering at University of Porto and University of Texas at Austin. She is credited with expanding the understanding of glass electrolyte and glass batteries with colleague John B. Goodenough. Braga is a senior research fellow in the Materials Institute headed by Goodenough.

The Tesla Megapack is a large-scale rechargeable lithium-ion battery stationary energy storage product, intended for use at battery storage power stations, manufactured by Tesla Energy, the energy subsidiary of Tesla, Inc.

The lithium nickel cobalt aluminium oxides (abbreviated as Li-NCA, LNCA, or NCA) are a group of mixed metal oxides. Some of them are important due to their application in lithium ion batteries. NCAs are used as active material in the positive electrode (which is the cathode when the battery is discharged). NCAs are composed of the cations of the chemical elements lithium, nickel, cobalt and aluminium. The compounds of this class have a general formula LiNixCoyAlzO2 with x + y + z = 1. In case of the NCA comprising batteries currently available on the market, which are also used in electric cars and electric appliances, x ≈ 0,8, and the voltage of those batteries is between 3.6 V and 4.0 V, at a nominal voltage of 3.6 V or 3.7 V. A version of the oxides currently in use in 2019 is LiNi0,84Co0,12Al0,04O2.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Redwood Materials</span> Sustainable battery materials company

Redwood Materials, Inc. is an American company headquartered in Carson City, Nevada. The company aims to recycle lithium-ion batteries and produce battery materials for electromobility and electrical storage systems. Redwood Materials was reported to have a valuation of about $3.7 billion as of July 2021.

An 18650 battery is a cylindrical lithium-ion battery common in electronic devices. The batteries measure 18 mm (0.71 in) in diameter by 65 mm (2.56 in) in length, giving them the name 18650.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 Bigelow, Pete (2020), "Celina Mikolajczak, 50", 100 leading women in the North American auto industry, Automotive News, retrieved 2023-07-27
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 "Celina Mikolajczak", Precourt Institute for Energy, Stanford University, retrieved 2023-07-27
  3. 1 2 3 4 Johnson, Greg (August 18, 1989), "Sophomore finds a bright spot in astronomy study", Los Angeles Times, retrieved 2023-07-27
  4. ↑ "(5256) Farquhar = 1955 HK = 1988 NN", Minor Planet Center, International Astronomical Union, retrieved 2023-07-27
  5. 1 2 "Endnotes: Which female mentor or role model inspired you during your time at Caltech?", Caltech Magazine, Fall 2020, retrieved 2023-07-27
  6. 1 2 Hawkins, Andrew J. (January 8, 2018), "Uber hires Tesla's lead battery expert to help power its 'flying car' service", The Verge, retrieved 2023-07-27
  7. ↑ Hull, Dana (October 8, 2019), Tesla's Cell Supplier Hires Battery Expert for Key Gigafactory Job: Celina Mikolajczak joins Panasonic after stint at Uber; Musk tweets have suggested strained relations with cell maker, Bloomberg, retrieved 2023-07-27
  8. 1 2 Korosec, Kirsten (June 10, 2022), "QuantumScape loses manufacturing chief over management style mismatch", TechCrunch, retrieved 2023-07-27
  9. ↑ Lienert, Paul (July 21, 2022), Battery startup Lyten recruits senior female executive Mikolajczak, Reuters, retrieved 2023-07-27
  10. ↑ Shahan, Zachary (July 6, 2023), "Former Tesla Battery Expert Leading Lyten Into New Lithium-Sulfur Battery Era", CleanTechnica, retrieved 2023-07-27
  11. ↑ "Lithium ion batteries hazard and use assessment", News and research, National Fire Protection Association, retrieved 2023-07-27
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