vdbatteries
EXPERTISE
Below is a showcase of my best skills but not all of them; my body of work came from mastering new techniques with each new project
Solid-state synthesis
Design and synthesis using of novel molten salt eutectics for NCM materials
Li/Na-ion coin cell preparation and testing
Preparation and testing of cathode NCMs in half-cells to analyze capacity, rate capability, and cycle stability
Benchtop skills
Single crystal NCM
Solid-state cell preparation and testing
Preparation and testing of anodes and cathodes in Li and In/InLi cells for solid-state battery performance
Nanomaterials Synthesis
Top view of mesoporous oxide thin-film
Preparation of nano-architectures with independent feature size changes for metal oxides and noble metal materials
Sol-gel Chemistry
Designed +5 novel sol-gel recipes for thin-films and powders of alkoxide and salt precursors
Electrochemical Testing (MACCOR, BIOLOGIC)
BIOLOGIC - in-situ and kinetic data analysis of CV and EIS experiments for thin films and model sandwich cells for Li-ion and H+/Zn2+
MACCOR - Liquid ion and solid-state half-cells to analyze capacity, rate capability, cycle stability, and diffusivity.
Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM)
Top-down and cross-sectional SEM for quantitative image analysis of metal oxide nanostructured films, noble metal mesoporous nanoparticles, and NCM single-crystal materials
Instrumentation and analysis
X-Ray Diffraction
In-house (Mo) XRD measure of NCM structures to determine degree of point defects and phases in NCM materials as well as in-situ measurements of charge-discharge experiments
2D XRD pattern of vanadium oxide electrode
Rietveld Refinement (GSAS II)
NCM structures to determine degree of point defects and phases in NCM materials. Complete with running LaB6 NIST standards and verification that the analysis is proper
Small Angle X-Ray Scattering (SAXS)
Routine transmission, and grazing-incidence measurements for nanostructure and crystallinity
Outside the Lab
Design of Experiment
Designed and ran custom mixture-based designs (JMP) for molten salt synthesis conditions and fractional factorials to identify critical variables of nanomaterial templating and synthetic menthol crystallization. Specialization certification from ASU.
Lab Management
Ensuring that two labs met either US or German lab safety standards. As well as coordinating use and scheduling of instrumentation to guarantee that everyone has access to progress their work
Scientific Writing and Presentations
Programming - Python, MATLAB, R
Author of +40 unique scripts involving automation of data extraction and analysis for electrochemical kinetics, fitting of spectra, and creation of publication figures.
Kinetic data fitted with in-house model which corrected a long-standing error in the literature
Acolyte of Michael Alley's style of writing and presenting scientific works with award winning results. Excellent public speaking skills and conveying complex ideas to all levels of expertise.
PC NCM with dopant controlled morphology
Polymer templated mesoporous microparticles
Polymer templated mesoporous noble metal nanoparticles
SAXS of noble metal nanoparticles
EXPERIENCE
Nearly 11 years of research experience, +7 years in energy storage
2022
Aug.
Research Chemist (Chemiker)
BELLA Labs, KIT/BASF
- Lead on synthesizing Hi-Ni singe-crystal NCMs for a joint project between BASF, U of Darmstadt, U of Manchester which acted as computational counterparts.
- Acted as in-lab manager of day-to-day operations, troubleshooting and delegating logistics.
- Used a combination of cell cycling, automated SEM image analysis, and Rietveld refinement to characterize materials.
- Acted as synthetic support for other projects studying single-crystal NCMs.
2022
May
Receive Ph.D. in Chemistry
Thesis: Tailored Nanomaterials for Advancing Fast-Charge Research
2017
Sept.
Ph.D. Researcher
M. Stefik Lab, U of SC
- Unambiguously quantified nanostructure-behavior relationships in Li-ion materials yielding 3 first author publications.
- Designed and performed in-situ X-ray scattering measurements of H+/Zn2+ dual insertion materials to study crystallographic changes and insertion mechanisms resulting in 3 co-author publications.
- Development of novel sol-gel recipes for micelle templated nanomaterials as powder and thin-films yielding a first author publication and 2 on-going collaborations.
- 5 research mentorships, lab safety officer, TA of 3 classes with a teaching award, 2 outreach programs demonstrating X-ray and electrochemical concepts, officer of 3 school clubs, preparation of 2 lessons and demonstrations for high school.
May
2016
Process Chemist, Summer Term
Vertellus R&D
- Experimental design (DOE) of synthetic menthol crystallization, advanced lab-scale fractional distillation for memory foam compounds, long-term monitoring of decomposition in proprietary reducing agents.
2015
May
Researcher
T. Guarr Lab, MSU Bioeconomy Institute
- Organic synthesis of monomers for flow-cell membranes. Work involved organic synthesis and analysis using NMR and mass spectrometry. (2017 Sigma Xi Senior Research Award, Hope College )
Jan.
2014
Researcher
J. Stukey Lab, Hope College
- Studied cytotoxicity of specific genes mycobacterophages.
2017
May
Receive B.S. in Chemistry
ACS Certified from Hope College
Jan.
Research Scientist
Cathode Team, A123 Systems, Inc.
2024
- Research into new formulations and slurry processing techniques to improve the performance of solid-state Li-ion cathode.
- Creation of metrics for electrode microstructure using hand-made Python scripts for automated SEM and EDS analysis.
- Development and root cause analysis of solid-state cell designs.
Publications & Presentations
A personal drive to report substantial research and make it accessible to everyone
Publications and Patents
[1] v. d. Bergh, W.; Yao, R.; Zhang, R.; Janek, J.; Kondrakov, A.; Brezesinski, T.; Effect of salt selection and molar ratio in molten salt synthesis of single-crystalline LiNiO2. Journal of Materials Chemistry A. 2024, 12, 8683-8688.
[2] v. d. Bergh, W.; Karger, L.; Murugan, S.; Janek, J.; Kondrakov, A.; Brezesinski, T.; Single Crystal Layered Oxide Cathodes: The Relationship between Particle Size, Rate Capability, and Stability. ChemElectroChem, 2023, e202300165 . (Journal Cover)
[3] v. d. Bergh, W.; Stefik, M., Understanding Rapid Intercalation Materials One Parameter at a Time, Advanced Functional Materials, 2022, 32, 2204126, 1-19. (Invited)
[4] v. d. Bergh, W.; Wechsler, S.; Lokupitiya, H. N.; Jarocha, L.; Kim, K.; Chapman, J.; Kweon, K. E.; Wood, B. C.; Heald, S.; Stefik, M. Amorphization of T-Nb2O5 Accelerates Intercalation Pseudocapacitance via Faster Lithium Diffusivity Revealed using Tunable Isomorphic Architectures. Batteries & Supercaps, 2022, 5(7), e202200122, 1-13. (Journal Cover, Editor’s Choice Spotlights)
[5] v. d. Bergh, W.; Larison, T.; Fornerod, M. J.; Guldin, S.; Stefik, M. Faster Intercalation Pseudocapacitance Enabled by Adjustable Amorphous Titania where Tunable Isomorphic Architectures Reveal Accelerated Lithium Diffusivity. Batteries & Supercaps, 2022, 5(6), e202200056. (Journal Cover)
[6] v. d. Bergh, W.; Williams, E. R.; Vest, N. A.; Chiang, P.-H.; Stefik, M. Mesoporous TiO2 Microparticles with Tailored Surface, Pore, Wall, and Particle Dimensions using Persistent Micelle Templates. Langmuir, 2021, 37(44), 12874-12886. (Journal Cover)
[7] v. d. Bergh, W.; Lokupitiya, H.; Vest, N. A.; Reid, B.; Guldin, S.; Stefik, M. Tunable Isomorphic Architectures of T-Nb2O5 Quantify Nanostructure Dependence of Intercalation Pseudocapacitance upon Diffusive Processes. Advanced Functional Materials, 2021, 31, 2007826, 1-11. (Frontsipiece)
[8] Karger, L.; Korneychuk, S.; v. d. Bergh, W.; Dreyer, S. L.; Zhang, R.; Goonetilleke, D.; Kondrakov, A.; Janek, J.; Brezesinski, T. See-Saw Effect of NiLi• Defects on Electrochemical Performance Studied in Size Tailored LiNiO2. Chemistry of Materials, 2024, 36, 3, 1497-1512.
[9] Nunes, B. N.; v. d. Bergh, W.; Strauss, F.; Kondrakov, A.; Brezesinski, T.; Janek, J.; The role of niobium in layered oxide cathodes for conventional lithium-ion and solid-state batteries. Inorganic Chemistry Frontiers, 2023, 10, 7126-7145.
[10] Zhao, W.; Wang, K.; Fan, X.; Ren, F.; Xu, X.; Liu, Y.; Xiong, S.; Liu, X.; Zhang, Z.; Si, M.; Zhang, R.; v. d. Bergh, W.; Yan, P.; Battaglia, C.; Brezesinski, T.; Yang, Y. Quantifying Degradation Parameters of Single-Crystalline Ni-Rich Cathodes in Lithium-Ion Batteries. Angewandte Chemie International Edition, 2023, e202305281.
[11] Karger, L.; v. d. Bergh, W.; An, S.; Kondrakov, A.; Brezesinski, T.; Cathode active material and its use in rechargeable electrochemical cells. Pending (Patent, BASF) 2023.
[12] Karger, L.; v. d. Bergh, W.; Kondrakov A,; Brezesinski, T.; Process for making a cathode active material, and cathode active material. Pending (Patent, BASF) 2023.
[13] Williams, E. R.; v. d. Bergh, W.; Stefik, M. High-χ, low-N Micelles from Partially Pefluorinated Block Polymers. Soft Matter, 2022, 18, 7917-7930.
[14] Zhu, K.; Wu, T.; v. d. Bergh, W.; Stefik, M.; Huang, K. Reversible Molecular and Ionic Storage Mechanisms in High-Performance Zn0.1V2O5•nH2O Xerogel Cathode for Aqueous Zn-ion Batteries. ACS Nano, 2021, 15, 6, 10678-10688.
[15] Lu, Y.; Zhu, T.; v. d. Bergh, W.; Stefik, M.; Huang, K. A High Performing Zn-ion Battery Cathode Enabled by in-situ Transformation of V2O5 Atomic Layers. Angewandte Chemie International Edition 2020, 132, 17152-17159.
[16] Zhu, K.; Wu, T.; Sun, S.; v. d. Bergh, W.; Stefik, M.; Huang, K. Synergistic H+/Zn2+ dual ion insertion mechanism in high-capacity and ultra-stable hydrated VO2 cathode for aqueous Zn-ion batteries. Energy Storage Materials 2020, 29, 60-70.
[17] Lantz, K. A.; Clamp, N. B.; v. d. Bergh, W.; Sarkar, A; Stefik, M. Full Gamut Wall Tunability from Persistent Micelle Templates via Ex Situ Hydrolysis. Small 2019, 15, 1900393. (Journal Cover)
Presentations
[1] 2023, May — BASF
“New recipes for SC NCMs”
[2] 2023, February — Texas A&M
“Life as a Postdoc”
[3] 2022, March — U of SC Senior Graduate Student Award
“Tailored nanomaterials for advancing fast-charge batteries”
[4] 2022, February— U of SC Graduate Poster Session
“Precision nanomaterials reduce ambiguity in ultra-fast energy storage systems”
[5] 2021, July – NGRPC2021 (Virtual)
“Persistent Micelle Templates for Tunable Isomorphic Architectures to Probe Nanostructure Dependence of Pseudocapacitive T-Nb2O5”
[6] 2021, April - ACS Spring National Conference (Virtual)
“Tunable Isomorphic Architectures Reveal the Nanostructure Dependence of Nb2O5 Intercalation Pseudocapacitance”
[7] 2019, August – International School for Materials for Energy and Sustainability (Pasadena, CA)
“Systematic Series of Porous Nanomaterials Revealing Unexpected Confinement Trends for Electrochemical Lithiation”
[8] 2016, April – Hope College Research Symposium (Holland, MI)
[9] 2015, July – Hope College Summer Research Fair (Holland, MI)
[10] 2015, May – American Society for Microbiology Conference (New Orleans, LA)
[11] 2015, April – Hope College Research Symposium (Holland, MI)
[12] 2014, July – Midwest Microbiology Conference (Chicago, IL)
[13] 2014, April – Hope College Research Symposium (Holland, MI)
Collaborative Efforts
Science isn't done alone but with a team of people,
below are the organizations I have worked with on different scientific projects
Beyond the BATTERIES
I have decided to devote my career to batteries, both their development and implementation for real world applications that truly benefits the lives of everyone.
However, past the technology is the need to build a sense of community with others inside our industry, other industries, and the general public. Below is the work I have done in that regard.
Mentorships
2023-Present, Rui Yao (KIT)
2022-2021, Mason Wright (U of SC)
2021, Christian Golden (U of SC)
2021, Kayleigh van Alstine (U of SC)
2020-2018, Natalie Vest (PhD from Texas A&M)
2018, Paige McMahon (Industry)
2018-2017, Pei-Hua Chiang (PhD Student at USC)
Organizations and Volunteering
2022-2021, Officer, POLY/PMSE (U of SC)
2021, Door Knocking, Devine T. Mayoral Candidacy
2021, Educational Lab Designer, Fairfield Central High School
2021, Panelist, Graduate TA Orientation
2021, Co-Chair of Oral Presentation Session, NGRPC
2021, Attendee, Next Generation Electrochemistry (NGenE)
2021, Student, ARPA-E Student Program
2021-2020, Officer, Society for the Advancement of Chemical Sciences (U of SC)
2020, Panelist, Graduate TA Orientation
2020-2019, Officer, Electrochemical Society (U of SC)
2019, Attendee, Int'l School for Materials for Energy and Sustainability (ISMES)
2019, SC SAXS Collaborative Outreach
2018, Judge, South Carolina Academy of Sciences
2017-2015, President, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Club
Teaching
2022 Spring, Organic Chemistry I
2020 Spring, Organic Chemistry II
2018 Spring, Organic Chemistry Lab II
2017 Fall, Organic Chemistry Lab I
Contact
If you're interested in what I can offer or have any questions,
please don't hesitate to contact me.
US: 1 616 422 3135
Email: wessel.j.vdb@gmail.com
