Kara Herson, Class of 2022, Engineering Physics
This summer I have been working with Professor Onori to study health indicators in lithium-ion batteries in electric vehicles. This research is part of a long-term joint project between the Stanford Energy Control Lab and the Volkswagen Group of America. My work has involved analyzing battery data collected in the energy control lab as well as field data from an electric vehicle. Working on this project has taught me a great deal about data analysis techniques, electric vehicle driving data, battery health indicators, and important considerations when adapting data analysis methods from lab data to field data.
One of the most interesting parts of this summer has been working on a collaborative project between a university research group and an industry partner. I’ve found that this kind of partnership can be incredibly valuable in terms of ensuring that research conducted in a university setting can make a tangible impact outside of academic spaces. This has also been a great opportunity to work with people from a wide variety of engineering backgrounds, which I’ve greatly appreciated.
Finally, I’ve enjoyed meeting other students in the SUPER program, learning about their summer research projects, and discussing current energy-related events with them. This program has offered a valuable chance to learn from professors and students outside of the specific research group I’ve been a part of, and to learn about the wide variety of energy- related research happening across several different departments at Stanford.
