“Currently, I am working as a senior researcher and the Digital Twin and Reliability (DTR) team lead at the EPOWERS research group in the MOBI research center, Dept. of Electrical Engineering and Energy Technology (ETEC) at Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) in Belgium. One of my research area is Battery Management Systems (BMS), specifically on balancing circuits and control, with an emphasis on designing for reliability. This work aligns closely with the scope of NEXTBMS.”
What was your original motivation to become a researcher/project manager?
“From the beginning of my university studies, I have been fascinated by solving complex mathematical problems, particularly in algebra and boundary value problems. During my Bachelor’s program, I was introduced to power electronics and was inspired by how complex control theory can be applied to increase the efficiency and stability of power electronics converters. This experience revealed the significant connection between theoretical problems and applied engineering. It was then that my passion for research grew, leading me to become a researcher in the power electronics domain.”
What is your (main) research area today?
“I am the lead technical manager of several EU and nationally funded projects from EPOWERS, specializing in multi-fidelity and AI-based models, software-defined lifetime routines for EVs, adaptive digital twins of powertrain components up to systems, condition monitoring and reliability analysis of power electronics, and Battery Management Systems (BMS): balancing circuits, sensors and control.”
What is the main focus of your team in NEXTBMS?
“In the NEXTBMS project, EPOWERS is responsible for prototyping and validating the battery management system hardware up to TRL4. In this prototype, the battery cells are equipped with the single-channel CMB (cell monitoring and balancing ) IC as an EIS chip along with advanced/ cutting-edge sensing technologies (temperature, pressure, and strain), which are controlled by a central multicore microcontroller capable of onboard state estimation and advanced functionalities of the battery system. EPOWERS Research Group will demonstrate a virtual automotive use case using a state-of-the-art Powertrain Innovation Lab (PIL), which is fully equipped (power, control, data management, cooling) e-axle of in-wheel-motor test rig connected to an IoT system with a Digital Twin of vehicle drivetrains.”
Could you describe your favourite moment/satisfaction when working for the project and – more in general – for your organisation?
“As with most projects, I have been involved since the proposal writing phase. During this phase, we make back-of-the-envelope estimates from a research perspective to predict how our algorithms and innovative designs will bring certain improvements. It is incredibly satisfying to see how our extensive discussions, research, and brainstorming meetings with partners and PhD students led us to achieve these targets during the project. I truly enjoy seeing the trigger of ideas through discussion and the research process that drives these accomplishments.”
How do you expect NEXTBMS results will affect your organisation and the energy storage sector?
“At EPOWERS, we are thrilled to be part of the NEXTBMS project, as it provides an unparalleled opportunity to contribute our expertise and cutting-edge facilities and collaborate with like-minded partners to revolutionize battery management systems and shape a cleaner, more efficient future for electric transportation. Also, we like to demonstrate our extensive driver-in-the-loop-based virtual testbench for BMS testing.”
