Dr. Zhiyu Mao is an accomplished researcher and associate professor at the Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences. With a Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering from the University of Waterloo, his research spans multiple areas within electrochemical energy storage systems, battery management, and advanced material design. Over the past 9+ years, Dr. Mao has gained substantial expertise in the development, testing, and mathematical modeling of energy storage systems, specifically lithium-ion batteries, fuel cells, and supercapacitors. His work focuses on understanding failure mechanisms in batteries, the aging process, and the implementation of artificial intelligence for battery management systems (BMS). Along with his academic career, Dr. Mao has worked in industry, collaborating with companies such as CWZE Power Inc. and Tianjin Lishen Battery Co., where he led R&D efforts on battery safety, performance evaluation, and system integration. His research has resulted in over 30 published papers and 13 patents. Dr. Mao has proven himself as a leader in the electrochemical energy field and continues to make significant strides in advancing energy storage technologies.

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Education:

Dr. Zhiyu Mao’s academic journey is marked by a strong foundation in chemical and materials engineering. He completed his Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering at the University of Waterloo, Canada, in 2016, where he specialized in battery materials, electrochemical systems, and modeling techniques for energy storage devices. Before this, Dr. Mao obtained his M.Sc. in Chemical Engineering from Taiyuan University of Technology, China, where he focused on electrode reaction kinetics for lithium-ion batteries. His undergraduate studies were completed at Inner Mongolia University, China, where he earned a B.Sc. in Materials Chemistry. Throughout his educational career, Dr. Mao honed his skills in both experimental research and theoretical modeling, laying the groundwork for his later contributions to the field of electrochemical energy storage. His research during his Ph.D. involved the development of innovative methodologies for understanding the behavior of battery materials, which he later applied to various real-world applications, including electric vehicles (EVs) and renewable energy storage systems. His diverse educational background has equipped him with a broad set of skills in both theoretical and applied chemistry, making him a leader in electrochemical engineering.

Professional Experience:

Dr. Zhiyu Mao has built an impressive career spanning both academia and industry, contributing significantly to the fields of electrochemical engineering and energy storage systems. Currently, Dr. Mao holds the position of Associate Professor at the Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, where he leads research on electrochemical energy storage, battery modeling, and fault warning systems for batteries. Prior to this, he served as a professor at Zhejiang Normal University, focusing on the dynamics of embedded materials and failure mechanisms in energy storage systems. In addition to his academic roles, Dr. Mao has accumulated significant industrial experience. He worked as a research scientist at CWZE Power Inc., where he led the R&D of advanced long-life lead-carbon batteries. He also contributed to the development of high-performance Li-ion cells at Newtech Power Inc., playing a key role in battery design, pilot plant testing, and performance evaluation. His industrial roles have provided him with valuable hands-on experience in the commercialization of electrochemical systems, allowing him to bridge the gap between research and practical application. This combination of academic and industrial expertise has made Dr. Mao a well-rounded and influential figure in his field.

Research Interests:

Dr. Zhiyu Mao’s research interests lie at the intersection of electrochemical engineering, advanced materials, and energy storage systems. His primary focus is on the design and optimization of electrochemical energy storage devices, particularly lithium-ion batteries, sodium-ion batteries, fuel cells, and hybrid supercapacitors. Dr. Mao is particularly interested in understanding the microscopic dynamics of embedded materials and the mechanisms that lead to battery degradation and failure. This includes exploring issues like solid-electrolyte interphase (SEI) growth, transition metal dissolution, and lithium plating. He also works on the development of artificial intelligence (AI) and big data analytics for battery management systems (BMS), aiming to improve state-of-charge estimation, fault prediction, and battery life-cycle management. Dr. Mao’s research spans both theoretical and experimental work, using advanced electrochemical and non-electrochemical techniques to characterize battery performance and failure modes. He is also engaged in developing advanced materials for batteries, including silicon and graphite-based electrodes, to improve energy density, rate capability, and cycle life. His research on smart energy grids and energy storage systems for renewable energy applications is pushing the boundaries of energy storage technology and its integration into broader energy systems.

Research Skills:

Dr. Zhiyu Mao possesses a wide range of research skills that are central to his work in electrochemical energy storage systems. His technical expertise includes experimental techniques like cyclic voltammetry (CV), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), galvanostatic intermittent titration (GITT), and constant current/constant voltage (CC/CV) cycling, as well as non-electrochemical characterization methods such as scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Dr. Mao is highly skilled in mathematical modeling and simulation of electrochemical systems, particularly in the development of physics-based models for battery aging and life prediction. He has expertise in applying advanced AI techniques and big data analysis to energy storage and management systems, particularly in the optimization of battery performance and fault detection. Dr. Mao is also proficient in the design and fabrication of battery systems, including the selection and optimization of materials, cell assembly, and testing. His interdisciplinary approach, combining fundamental electrochemical principles with applied engineering, has allowed him to make significant contributions to both academic research and industry.

Awards and Honors:

Dr. Zhiyu Mao’s outstanding contributions to electrochemical research and energy storage systems have earned him several accolades throughout his career. While specific awards are not detailed in his CV, his impressive body of work, including over 30 publications in prestigious journals such as the Journal of the Electrochemical Society and Electrochimica Acta, demonstrates the recognition he has received in the academic community. Furthermore, Dr. Mao’s patents, totaling 13 internationally, highlight the innovative nature of his work, particularly in battery materials, energy storage systems, and management technologies. His collaborative work with industry leaders, such as Newtech Power Inc. and CWZE Power Inc., also underscores his ability to apply his research to real-world problems, advancing both scientific understanding and practical applications. His research on advanced materials, battery aging, and AI for battery management has established him as a thought leader in the field of electrochemical energy storage. Although specific honors and awards are not listed, his scientific output, patent portfolio, and industry collaborations place him in a strong position for recognition.

Conclusion:

Dr. Zhiyu Mao is a highly accomplished researcher and academic with a proven track record in advancing the field of electrochemical energy storage systems. His extensive research, spanning from battery design to artificial intelligence applications for battery management, has positioned him as a leader in the field. Dr. Mao’s interdisciplinary expertise, coupled with his industrial experience, makes him uniquely qualified to bridge the gap between academic research and practical, real-world applications in energy storage and renewable energy technologies. His contributions, including over 30 published papers and 13 patents, highlight his innovative approach and impact on the industry. While there is room for further engagement in sustainability efforts and public outreach, Dr. Mao’s work continues to push the boundaries of what is possible in energy storage systems. His dedication to both research and mentorship, along with his commitment to technological advancement, makes him a strong candidate for recognition and accolades in the scientific community. Dr. Mao’s future contributions will undoubtedly continue to shape the next generation of energy storage technologies, furthering the global transition toward sustainable energy solutions.

Publication Top Notes

1. Title: Significant Enhancement of Electrocatalytic Activity of Nickel-Based Amorphous Zeolite Imidazolate Frameworks for Water Splitting at Elevating Temperatures
   Authors: Iqbal, M.F., Xu, T., Li, M., Xu, P., Chen, Z.
   Year: 2024
   Citations: 1
2. Title: Optimizing Annealing Treatment of Mesoporous MoO₂ Nanoparticles for Enhancement of Hydrogen Evolution Reaction
   Authors: Iqbal, M.F., Xu, T., Li, M., Zhang, J., Chen, Z.
   Year: 2024
   Citations: 1
3. Title: A Hybrid Deep Learning Approach for Remaining Useful Life Prediction of Lithium-Ion Batteries Based on Discharging Fragments
   Authors: Liu, Y., Hou, B., Ahmed, M., Feng, J., Chen, Z.
   Year: 2024
   Citations: 8
4. Title: A Review on Iron-Nitride (Fe₂N) Based Nanostructures for Electrochemical Energy Storage Applications: Research Progress, and Future Perspectives
   Authors: Sajjad, M., Zhang, J., Mao, Z., Chen, Z.
   Year: 2024
   Citations: 10
5. Title: Long-Life Lead-Carbon Batteries for Stationary Energy Storage Applications
   Authors: Sajjad, M., Zhang, J., Zhang, S., Mao, Z., Chen, Z.
   Year: 2024
   Citations: 9
6. Title: A Comprehensive Review of the Pseudo-Two-Dimensional (P2D) Model: Model Development, Solutions Methods, and Applications
   Authors: Hussain, A., Mao, Z., Li, M., Zhang, J., Chen, Z.
   Year: 2024
7. Title: An Unsupervised Domain Adaptation Framework for Cross-Conditions State of Charge Estimation of Lithium-Ion Batteries
   Authors: Liu, Y., Ahmed, M., Feng, J., Mao, Z., Chen, Z.
   Year: 2024
8. Title: Design of Lithium Exchanged Zeolite-Based Multifunctional Electrode Additive for Ultra-High Loading Electrode Toward High Energy Density Lithium Metal Battery
   Authors: Gao, Y., Yang, Y., Yang, T., Luo, D., Chen, Z.
   Year: 2024
9. Title: Deep Learning Powered Lifetime Prediction for Lithium-Ion Batteries Based on Small Amounts of Charging Cycles
   Authors: Liu, Y., Ahmed, M., Feng, J., Mao, Z., Chen, Z.
   Year: 2024
10. Title: Heat Transfer Analysis of MHD Prandtl-Eyring Fluid Flow with Christov-Cattaneo Heat Flux Model
    Authors: Hussain, A., Mao, Z.
    Year: 2024
    Citations: 10