I hope my research will contribute to minimizing the negative impact of human activity and help our society transition to a sustainable future.”
Qingsong "Borges" Liu (he/him)
PhD Candidate in the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering
Qingsong “Borges” Liu is a PhD candidate in the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering in the McCormick School of Engineering. His research focuses on lithium-ion batteries, helping to design better batteries for the future of renewable energy. Borges has been actively involved in the McCormick Graduate Leadership Council (MGLC) since his first year in his PhD program at Northwestern, and he has served as president and co-president.
During his tenure, Borges enhanced MGLC's involvement in diversity and inclusion by leading a multi-organization team in local STEM activities for underprivileged youth. Borges is a recipient of several prestigious awards including the Ryan Fellowship (2023-2025), Leadership Fellowship (2024), and Sustainability Fellowship (2023).
How would you describe your research and/or work to a non-academic audience?
My research focuses on lithium-ion batteries, which are essential for a future society that relies on renewable energy. The main research question is: What processing conditions and formulations are necessary to achieve optimal cathode structures that ensure high performance? The outcome of my research will guide scientists and the battery industry in designing processes and formulations that produce defect-free, high-performance batteries.
Tell us what inspired your research and/or work.
Over the past few decades, my hometown of Pingwu, Sichuan, China has evolved into a bustling urban center with high-rise buildings and cars. With this trend of urbanization, my desire to pursue research related to sustainability has been spurred by witnessing the pollution and depletion of natural resources. I hope my research will contribute to minimizing the negative impact of human activity and help our society transition to a sustainable future.
Why Northwestern?
During the visit weekend, I became convinced that Northwestern would be the place where I would thrive. The faculty members at Northwestern are not only world-class researchers but also exceptional mentors who empower and guide graduate students to succeed. Additionally, Northwestern's proximity to Chicago, a city that welcomes people from diverse backgrounds, was an important factor in my decision.
What inspires you?
Learning new things and solving hard problems. Learning new things provides me with fresh perspectives and new experiences, constantly stimulating my curiosity. Solving difficult problems gives me a sense of achievement and satisfaction.
Tell us about a current achievement or something you're working on that excites you.
One of the most exciting projects I am working on is a collaboration with scientists at Oak Ridge National Laboratory to characterize the multi-length scale structure of battery cathodes using neutron scattering. Neutron scattering is a unique tool that can non-destructively probe structures ranging from several angstroms to tens of microns. Access to this technique is limited to a few locations because generating high-flux neutrons requires nuclear reactors or spallation sources. The unique information obtained from neutron scattering will help us identify the structural descriptors that are key to predicting battery performance.
Publish Date: July 9, 2024
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