2015 Graduate Student Paper of the Year and TA of the Year Awards
Kyle Klavetter Wins Paper of the Year
Kyle Klavetter has been awarded the Graduate Student Paper of the Year Award and the James R. and Merle Fair Endowed Graduate Fellowship in Chemical Engineering worth $4,000, for his paper entitled “High tap density microparticles of selenium-doped germanium as a high efficiency, stable cycling lithium-ion battery anode material” published in the Journal of Materials Chemistry A in 2015.
Lithium-ion anodes store charge in the battery and the selenium-doped germanium in this research was demonstrated to provide stable and high efficiency cycling performance for micron-sized particles. Typically, the strain experienced by this size particle as lithium is inserted and extracted will tear the particle apart, fracturing electrical connections in the anode. With the inclusion of a small amount of selenium, the germanium micron-sized particle was found to cycle stably, without fracture, for over a thousand cycles and with over twice the capacity found when using a graphite anode. The selenium-doped germanium particles will be tested later this fall in a prototype battery designed by Argonne National Labs.
In his research, Klavetter has contributed through his record of publication and by introducing his lab to novel concepts and research tools. Recently, he has developed novel inexpensive electrochemical cells that allow his research group to characterize dendritic structures in batteries: a major safety issue.
HAADF-STEM image of a selection of an ultramicrotomed anode film showing a pure germanium, micron-sized particle after cycling (discharged state). The strain of repeated lithium insertion and expansion resulted in wide-spread particle fracture, internal formation of large pores and edge deformation
Klavetter is an independent researcher and problem solver who demonstrates leadership in the lab by mentoring graduate and undergraduate research assistants. He develops novel research projects for his assistants, teaches them how to use and maintain the lab and frequently personally instructs them on using advanced instruments. He has helped to write grants, interview potential graduate students and has assisted in developing a new electrochemical course.
Klavetter is a hard-working and highly-motivated Ph.D. student, earning him recognition for his publication and the work that went into it.
Wissam Charab Named TA of the Year
Wissam Charab has been named TA of the Year for his work on CHE 317 in 2014 and will be awarded the Paige H. and J. Jeff Weidner Endowed Presidential Fellowship in Chemical Engineering worth $3,500.
In their evaluation Charab’s performance, the students used terms including – enthusiastic, helpful, dedicated, considerate, and concerned.
Charab works very hard to help move the students toward success. The professor for the course believes that his assistance allowed some students to pass the class, who might otherwise not have been able to.
CHE 317 is the first rigorous course in the chemical engineering degree program and Charab brought the right balance of intellectual insight and caring to his TA efforts. He is very talented at both solving complex problems and explaining solutions to others. His dedication to the students was characterized by significantly extra effort outside the recitation sessions. Charab set up a Facebook page to facilitate communication and answered student emails at all hours.
The department is pleased to recognize his level of effort and performance above and beyond expectations.
Tags: 2015, batteries, CHE 317, chemical engineering, dendritic structures, electrochemical, Facebook, James R. and Merle Fair Endowed Graduate Fellowship in Chemical Engineering, Journal of Materials Chemistry A, Kyle Klavetter, lithium-ion battery, McKetta Department of Chemical Engineering, microparticles, Paige H. and J. Jeff Weidner Endowed Presidential Fellowship, Paper of the Year, Ph.D., research, selenium-doped germanium, TA of the Year, Texas ChE, The University of Texas at Austin, UT Austin, Wissam Charab