In recent years, with the rise of electric vehicles, safety issues such as battery fires have attracted much attention. Since returning to China in 2017, Wang Jiajun, a professor at Harbin Institute of Technology and the head of the "Young Scientist Studio", has been looking for a way to solve this problem.
"My current job is to diagnose the health status of the battery, which is simply equivalent to a 'three-dimensional brain CT' for the lithium battery used in electric vehicles, timely discover deficiencies and hidden dangers, and provide scientific and accurate reference for its repair, improvement and perfection." Talking about his research field, Wang Jiajun was excited. Everyone called him "Battery Doctor.".
Wang Jiajun (center) and students tackle key problems in the laboratory. (File photo)
Born in 1981, Wang Jiajun was admitted to the Department of Chemistry of Harbin University of Science and Technology at the age of 17, and then pursued a master's degree and doctorate in chemistry at the Department of Applied Chemistry of Harbin Institute of Technology. At that time, he maintained a strong interest in all unknown scientific mysteries, developed good academic habits, and slowly strengthened his belief in future scientific research.
In 2008, Wang Jiajun went abroad for further study. He first went to the University of Western Ontario in Canada for a postdoctoral study, and then worked in two laboratories abroad. He has been committed to the development of synchrotron radiation multidimensional imaging technology and its application to the research of new energy materials.
"Being in a foreign land, my heart is close to the motherland." Wang Jiajun said that the domestic new energy industry has developed rapidly, battery companies have been increasing, and the industrialization process has been continuously promoted. He found that the basic scientific research in some fields is relatively weak, and an impulse surged in his heart - combined with the advanced technology he understands, to promote the high-quality development of basic science in the field of electric vehicle batteries.
Wang Jiajun (center) leads the students to analyze the experimental results. (File photo)
In 2017, after several months of repeated consideration, Wang Jiajun made up his mind to return to China for development. "The state vigorously supports overseas scientific researchers and international students to return to China for employment and entrepreneurship, and has introduced a series of good policies." Although I give up the job I like in front of me and the generous treatment in my heart, I believe that if I change my position and do a good job, I will definitely be able to do something for the development of the country. He said.
New energy technology is considered to be high-tech in the 21st century, and the battery industry, as an important part of the field of new energy, has become a global research hotspot. Wang Jiajun returned to his alma mater, Harbin Institute of Technology, and led the team to start a new all-solid-state battery research. They will focus on the key technologies of solid-state batteries and explore the use of X-ray synchrotron radiation imaging technology to carry out battery failure and safety improvement research.
However, the production process and equipment of solid-state batteries and their materials are not very mature, and a lot of exploratory work needs to be done, and the risk of project failure is very large. Even so, Wang Jiajun still has to "gnaw hard bones.".
Wang Jiajun gave an academic report. (File photo)
"There are no shortcuts in scientific research, only serious thinking, good at summarizing, paying attention to details, and going through countless falls and starting over." For example, Wang Jiajun said that in terms of sulfide solid-state batteries, many literatures do not describe the details of the experiment specifically. From electrolyte synthesis to full battery assembly, from test molds to test methods, he and his students groped a little bit, and spent nearly two years to complete the first solid-state battery-related work.
After more than 4 years of development, Wang Jiajun's team has a small scale, with 2 postdoctoral fellows, 11 doctors and 14 masters. Up to now, the team has obtained 8 invention patents, published more than 40 papers in international journals such as the sub-journal of Nature, and a series of original research results with international leading level have provided a new perspective for the development of high-capacity and high-safety lithium batteries.
Wang Jiajun (back row, first from left) with the students. (File photo)
In the face of scientific research results, Wang Jiajun said that whether it is an independent laboratory of more than 100 square meters at the beginning, or the scientific research funding and scientific research project application required for development, it is inseparable from the support of schools, colleges and research institutes.
"Scientific research results must be transformed well, and you can't lie in the laboratory and sleep." Wang Jiajun introduced that facing the needs of people's livelihood and industry, the relevant technical achievements of the team have been applied and recognized by many research institutes and leading enterprises in the industry, which further improves the safety of high-capacity batteries of electronic products. Enterprises benefit from this and achieve transformation and upgrading.
"This is the era of innovation, and the significance of scientific and technological innovation is particularly significant. As a scientific researcher in the new era, we must adhere to the needs of the country is the direction of struggle, and concentrate on doing truly useful science. In Wang Jiajun's view, personal growth is closely linked to the fate of the country, and constant breakthroughs and innovations are pursued in order to make life bloom into a brilliant flower.
Edited by Yanting Chen