MechE Seminar Series: Emily Ryan

Speaker: Emily Ryan

Title: Computational and data science approaches to energy and material systems

Abstract: Chemical-physical processes at material interfaces drive performance and degradation in various energy and environmental systems, such as high energy density batteries, carbon capture reactors, and water filtration. In this talk, I will discuss our research into computational modeling of interfacial and surface phenomena that drive performance in high energy density lithium batteries. Over multiple charge/discharge cycles non-uniform lithium plating and secondary reactions at the interface drive performance degradation and pose safety risks. The interplay between local transport, surface conditions, and operating conditions dictate these interfacial changes. In our work we use multi-phase, meso-scale modeling of the interfacial region to understand the driving forces for these changes and the coupling between physical phenomena to better understand the critical physics at the interface and to design more stable, long lasting interfaces.

About the Speaker: Professor Emily Ryan is an Associate Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering and the Division of Materials Science and Engineering, a Founding Faculty Member of the Faculty of Computing and Data Sciences, an Associate Director of the Institute for Global Sustainability, and an Associate Director of the Kilachand Honors College at Boston University (BU). She received her Ph.D. in mechanical engineering from Carnegie Mellon University in 2009. After graduation she worked as a post-doctoral research associate and staff computational scientist at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. Since joining BU in 2012, she founded the Computational Energy Laboratory, which focuses on the development of computational models of advanced energy systems, including batteries, fuel cells, and carbon capture technologies, and BU’s Energy and Sustainable Technologies collaborative laboratory bringing together faculty across BU working to advance sustainability. Her research is funded through the National Science Foundation, the Department of Energy, state of Massachusetts, foundations, and industry.

When 1:30 pm - 2:30 pm on 7 May 2025
Building ENG 245 110 Cummington Mall