Eric Emmenegger 

Eric is a third-year student in the Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering studying Mechanical Engineering. Through a research assistantship, Eric worked with Professor Cristina Amon in the ATOMS laboratory as a Battery Thermals and Digital Twin Researcher.

Eric’s research project involved a partnership with the University of Toronto Formula Racing team, a student design team that annually builds an electric, formula-style, single-seater race car. His research largely focused on battery simulations. First, Eric simulated cylindrical battery cells using COMSOL Multiphysics and testing them to parametrize and validate the simulations. He then simulated battery modules composed of 5 cells each and extrapolated the data to the full battery pack. For Eric, it was fascinating “to learn about the complexity of batteries, and how different models can be used to approximate their behaviour to varying degrees of accuracy.”

Eric shared that he learned a lot from his lab experience like simulation skills, how to conduct a literature review and approaches to battery testing. Through his ongoing involvement with the Formula Racing team, Eric plans to continue to apply these skills. 

In the future, Eric hopes to leverage this experience to work in the electric vehicle industry, particularly working on high-voltage battery packs that power electric vehicles across the globe. “It’s a very unique engineering challenge and a field that I want to explore.”

Research Type(s): Research Assistantships