Efat Mohammadi is a Ph.D. candidate in Mechanical Engineering within the Headley Research Group at the University of Memphis. Her research focuses on energy systems optimization, with a particular emphasis on battery technology and sustainable energy solutions. Efat has worked extensively to enhance the OPAL-RT control system, enabling unique, dynamic power-hardware-in-the-loop (PHIL) cycle testing of electrochemical systems. Her contributions provide valuable insights into Li-ion battery degradation under realistic loads, helping to improve the performance and longevity of energy storage systems and advancing the transition to a low-carbon, resilient energy future.

David Braese is an MS student in the Headley Research Group at the University of Memphis and is currently working in collaboration with Sandia National Laboratories on a battery degradation modeling project. His research focuses on developing a Python-based integration with Sandia’s QuESt tool to improve how battery degradation is represented in techno-economic energy storage analyses.

David’s work centers on retrieving and analyzing degradation data from the Battery Archive and linking it to user-defined battery characteristics such as chemistry, expected C-rate, and operating temperature. This integration will enable QuESt to estimate realistic upper and lower bounds on degradation impacts, improving projections of long-term system performance and project value. Through this effort, David is contributing to more degradation-aware planning and valuation of battery energy storage systems.

Jennifer Farler is a PhD Candidate in the Headley Research Group at the University of Memphis. As an undergraduate, she contributed significantly to the team by assisting in the development of specialized test equipment for energy systems research. Her research has focused on deciphering the underlying connections between degradation rates and operating conditions in electrochemical systems, and more recently shifted to optimization of battery systems with gas power plants as an intern at Sandia National Labs. Jennifer also works with the University of Memphis Industrial Assessment Center and the MidSouth Renewable Energy Audit Program, where she helps identify energy efficiency improvements for manufacturers and agricultural producers, gaining hands-on experience in sustainable energy practices.

Keegan Dolan is a new PhD student contributing who will be working on a project in collaboration with IUPUI. His work focuses on advancing fast-charging methods for high-capacity lithium-ion batteries used in electric freight vehicles, addressing charging time as a key barrier to wider EV adoption in the trucking sector.

As part of the project, Keegan will work on developing and evaluating adaptive fast-charging algorithms that reduce charging time while accounting for battery degradation and long-term system health. He will also support efforts to estimate battery state of health (SOH) in real time, with the goal of informing charging strategies that balance performance and durability. His research will include experimental validation using power-hardware-in-the-loop (PHIL) testing at the University of Memphis on battery chemistries commonly used in electric trucks.

Yogesh Manoharan earned his Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering as a member of the Headley Research Group at the University of Memphis. His dissertation, titled "Energy Storage Systems Modeling and Optimization," focused on advancing the transition to clean energy by optimizing the sizing and operational strategies of energy storage systems, particularly batteries. Yogesh developed sophisticated system models and optimization frameworks using linear, nonlinear, mixed-integer, and stochastic programming methods to balance supply and demand, reduce electricity costs, and enhance grid stability. His research provides critical insights for the planning and operation of energy storage systems, contributing to sustainable and resilient energy solutions. He is now an Assistant Professor at Adams State University.

Ala' Qatramez is a earned his PhD in Mechanical Engineering within the Headley Research Group at the University of Memphis, co-advised by Dr. Daniel Foti. His research focuses on the safety and thermal management of lithium-ion batteries, with particular attention to understanding and mitigating thermal runaway events in collaboration with researchers at Sandia National Laboratories. Ala' works to enhance the safety and reliability of energy storage systems, providing critical insights that support the development of sustainable and resilient energy solutions. His contributions advance the knowledge of battery safety, addressing challenges essential to the future of renewable and reliable energy systems.