R&D of lithium ion battery and capacitor(LIB/LIC), materials science, electrochemistry.
Anode and cathode materials, anode SEI, reverse engineered, and cell failure analysis.
Modeling and data analysis with R and Python programming.
Solid hands-on experience in cell performance tests and materials characterization.
Strong ability of problem solving, communication; highly efficient, quick learner, team player.
· Ph.D. Materials Engineering, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, December 2012. GPA 3.97/4.0
PhD Qualifying Exam: Crystallography and X-Ray Diffraction, Deformation and Failure of Materials, Thermodynamics, Kinetics, Physics of Solid Score 20/20
Other courses: Microelectronic Fabrication, Cleanroom Microfabrication Processes, Electrochemistry.
· M.Sc., Materials Physics and Chemistry, Tongji University, China, 2006-2008.
· B.S., Chemistry, Tongji University, Shanghai, China, 2002-2006.
Project 1: Modeling analysis of electrode/electrolyte interphase and electrode degradation.
· Managed an electrochemistry and materials characterization lab.
· Studied the electrode/electrolyte interphase (thin film) with various characterization techniques, including Impedance (EIS), CV, Amperometry, SEM, TEM, EDS, AFM, Raman, FTIR, and GC/MS.
· Created scientific model to reveal the mechanism of electrode passivation/degradation.
· Designed experiments (DOE) to solve problems, analyzed experimental data, wrote summaries, reported weekly in a big meeting with several professors and graduate students.
· Modified electrode with PEDOT:PSS polymer coating, and enhanced the electrode performance.
Project 2: Lithium ion battery materials, Porous lithium silicon/carbon materials.
· Synthesized Lithium/vanadium pentoxide (V2O5) aerogel materials for higher battery cathode performance.
· Studied Lithium ion diffusion in V2O5 cathode film and at cathode/electrolyte interface, using current transient technique.
· Characterized highly porous lithium/carbon and silicon aerogel materials with SEM, TEM, EDS, FTIR, XRF, BET, TGA, and DSC.
· Familiar with Lithium ion battery materials and chemistry and industry trends.
Project 3: Electrochemical gas sensor (reported to congress).
· Developed electrochemical gas sensor for monitoring ppb level of TCP in aircraft cabin.
· Fabricated a sample preparation box that was controlled by LabVIEW program.
Project 4: CdS quantum dots synthesized on microfluidic chip.
· Familiar with semiconductor microfabrication processes, including film deposition/growth, patterning, and etching.
· Fabricated microfluidic devices with photolithography technique in a cleanroom.
· Synthesized CdS nanoparticles using colloidal chemical method; Characterized quantum dots with UV, SEM, and TEM.
· Controlled the particle size distribution by tuning reaction volume, reagent concentrations, and pH value.
Senior Scientist (Jun 2016 to present), R&D, Maxwell Technologies, Inc, San Diego, CA
4 Projects:
· R&D, Anode (Si, C) and Cathode (NMC, LFP) materials for Li ion batteries (LIB) and Li ion capacitors (LIC). Successfully fabricated Gen2 cells with high energy density and long cycle life.
· Failure analysis of cells; Successfully improved cell life by modifying cell process and materials.
· Reverse engineered analysis of competitor cells.
· Using R and Python programming languages to set up data analysis procedures with high efficiency.
3 Invention disclosures:
· "A method for stable SEI formation of LIC-LIB cells."
· "Design of a device for monitoring gas evolution of energy strorage pouch cells."
· "Electrode active materials for lithium ion capacitors with improved low tempreature performance."
Other activities:
· Analysis of anode Solid Electrolyte Interphase (SEI) layer and electrode materials with
SEM, FIB dualbeam, TEM, EDS, XRD, Raman, FTIR, XPS, BET, PSD, ICP-MS, GC-MS;
· Cell performance tests: CV, impedance (EIS), baseline and life cycle tests on Arbin and Bitrode.
· Communication with vendors of raw materials and colleagues from other departments.
Senior Materials Scientist (Nov 2015 to present), TDK-Headway Technologies, Inc., Milpitas, CA
Materials Scientist (Mar 2014 to Nov 2015), TDK-Headway Technologies, Inc., Milpitas, CA
· Failure analysis and materials characterizations for product devices.
· Solved complex materials science problems by utilizing techniques of FIB/SEM DualBeam, TEM, EDS, XRD, and XRR.
· Research and development (R&D) of new analytical strategies; increased productivity and efficiency.
· Processed date, interpreted results to assist processes and material development.
· Wrote and presented accurate and clear findings and summaries for problem solving.
· Communicated and interacted productively with co-workers in Materials, Engineering, and other organizations.
· Trained in team building, project management, and time management.
Materials Analyst Engineer (Dec 2012 to Mar 2014), Nanolab Technologies, Inc., Milpitas, CA
· Failure analysisof products in electrochemistry, photovoltaic, ceramic, metallurgy, and semiconductor fields.
· Designed experiments (DOE) and developed materials analytical strategies with SEM, FIB, dualbeam, TEM, EDS.
· Communicated and cooperated with other engineers and deliver to aggressive commitments.
· Solved problems, wrote summaries and reports for customers from Apple or other companies.
(out of 22 Google Scholar Citations)
· Y Lin, Z Wu, J Wen, K Ding, X Yang, KR Poeppelmeier, LD Marks. “Adhesion and Atomic Structures of Gold on Ceria Nanostructures: The Role of Surface Structure and Oxidation State of Ceria Supports”. Nano Letters. (2015) Vol.8, 5375-5381.
· X Yang, J Kirsch, Y Zhang, J Fergus, A Simonian. “Electrode passivation by phenolic compounds: Modeling analysis”. Journal of The Electrochemical Society. (2014) Vol.161, E3036-E3041.
· X Yang, J Kirsch, E Olsen, J Fergus, A Simonian. “Anti-fouling PEDOT:PSS modification on glassy carbon electrodes for continuous monitoring of TCP”. Sensors and Actuators B: Chemical. (2013) Vol.177, 659-667.
· X Yang, J Kirsch, J Fergus, A Simonian. “Modeling analysis of electrode fouling during electrolysis of phenolic compounds”. Electrochimica Acta. (2013) Vol.94, 259-268.
· X Yang, A Zitova, J Kirsch, J Fergus, R Overfelt, A Simonian. “Portable and remote electrochemical sensing system for detection of tricresyl-phosphate in gas phase”. Sensors and Actuators B: Chemical. (2012) Vol.161, 564-569.
· J Dai, X Yang (co-first author), M Hamon, L Kong, WS Lee, SY Park, JW Hong. “Particle size controlled synthesis of CdS nanoparticles on a microfluidic chip”. Chemical Engineering Journal. (2015) Vol.280, 385-390.
· A. Wang, G Wu, H Yang, M Zhang, X Fang, X Yang, B Zhou, J Shen. “Study of lithium diffusion through vanadium pentoxide aerogel”. Sixth International Conference on Thin Film Physics and Applications. (2008) 69841L-4.
· S Xiao, B Zhou, H Wan, A Du, X Xu, X Yang, J Shen, G Wu. “Monolithic Lithium-Based Aerogels via Dispersed Inorganic Sol-Gel Method”. Atomic Energy Science and Technology, China. (2008) 42. 21-25.
· “Modeling Analysis of Electrode fouling due to electro-Oxidation of Phenols”. Electrochemical Society 223rd meeting (May 2013). Toronto, ON, Canada
· “Prevention of Electrode Fouling Significantly Improve the Accuracy of Tricresyl Phosphate Detection”. Electrochemical Society 221st meeting (May 2012). Seattle, WA
· “Electrochemical Sensing System for Detection of Tricresyl-phosphate”. 41st International Conference on Environmental Systems (Jul 2011). Portland, OR
· “Development of label free, rapid bacteriophage SPR biosensor for detection of Escherichia Coli". Workshop on Novel Sampling and Sensing for Improving Food Safety (June 2011). Atlanta, GA
· “Portable Electrochemical Sensor for Detection of Tricresyl-Phosphate”. Electrochemical Society 219th meeting (May 2011). Montreal, QC, Canada
· “Controlled synthesis of quantum dots on a micro-fabricated chip”. 13th International Conference on Miniaturized Systems for Chemistry and Life Sciences (Nov 2009). Jeju, Korea
· “Study of lithium diffusion through vanadium pentoxide aerogel”. 6th International Conference on Thin Film Physics and Applications (2008). Shanghai, China
· Journals Reviewed: Batteries, Journal of The Electrochemical Society, Electrochimica Acta, Electroanalytical Chemistry;
· Professional Members: Electrochemical Society (ECS); Alpha Sigma Mu (International Professional Honor Society for Materials); American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics;
· Computer: Programming language C and JAVA, LabVIEW, Origin.
· Hobby: soccer, Go game (Wei-Qi)
· Status: Permanent Resident (green card holder)