Dean's Speaker Series: "Quantum Electron Engineering by Onur Ergen | Mühendislik ve Doğa Bilimleri Fakültesi

Guest: Onur Ergen

Date/ Time: 31 March 2022 / 1:00 - 2:00PM

Title:"Quantum Electron Engineering : Towards energy and electronics revolution"

I enthusiastically invite you to join us physically at FENS G029 or by using the following link:

Zoom link: https://sabanciuniv.zoom.us/j/6450818950

Abstract:Classical electrochemical principles have revolutionized battery technology and enabled a new era of electronic devices since over 200 years, and after such a long period of time, current battery technology cannot keep up with increasing power demand. Moreover, overtaxing batteries via rapid discharge and charge can lead to performance degradation or even catastrophic failure (fire or explosion). There remain unknowns regarding microscopic electron-transfer and ionic transport phenomena through interfaces, especially electrode-electrolyte interfaces. Lack of precise control of these microscopic processes poses significant performance, safety, and fast charging limitations with uncontrollable features such as high internal resistance, slow ion diffusion, lithium plating, dendritic growth, hot spot formations, complex coupling, etc.

In this talk, I will discuss a new concept of producing batteries to eliminate drawbacks of conventional ones and provide full control over the electron and ion transport in a programmable way. I will describe quantum electron engineering as a whole new approach to physics and chemistry to redesign traditional battery technology and move it beyond existing theoretical limits.In effect, I will decode complex matter to introduce control over any given battery chemistry to provide a blueprint for the next battery technology, while unlocking the potential for 2D materials in areas such as biology, flexible electronics, and spintronics.

Biography: Dr. Onur Ergen holds MS, MA, and Ph.D. degrees, in Electrical Engineering and Physics, all from the University of California Berkeley. He recently joined the faculty of Istanbul Technical University where he is currently an assistant professor of Electrical and Electronics Engineering. He is developing future energy devices and AI algorithms, which are applicable for smart grid, healthcare, and new energy concepts. He is also the Senior Technologist at Ambeent Inc, developing next generation AI algorithms for 5G platforms. Previously, Onur worked on developing new semiconductor technologies at Intel Corp.; was responsible for developing automated systems and AI interfaces at Apple Inc.; and worked on R&D research and development activities at Solo Power Inc. He has developed various new concepts and device architectures from wearable electronics to lithium-ion batteries, etc. Onur has a strong academic foundation in energy and novel device architectures with over 25 publications and 12 patents. Dr. Ergen has received various awards including TÜBA, and the European Research Council (ERC). His ERC research titled QUEEN, quantum super-exchange energy storage platform, leverages quantum electron engineering to introduce a whole new approach to physics and chemistry to redesign traditional battery technology and move it beyond existing theoretical limits.