Interview with Dr. Xin Sui—Winner of the Batteries 2024 Travel Award
Name: Dr. Xin Sui
Affiliation: Department of Energy, Aalborg University, DK-9220 Aalborg, Denmark
Research Interests: battery modeling; AI for battery state estimation; lifetime prediction and extension; feature engineering; machine learning
Self-introduction:
My name is Dr. Xin Sui, and I graduated with a Ph.D. in machine learning for battery state of health estimation from Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark. I am currently leading the AI track in the Smart Battery project as a postdoc researcher with the Center for Research on Smart Battery (CROSBAT), AAU Energy, Aalborg University. My research interests include battery modeling, AI for battery state estimation, lifetime prediction, feature engineering, and machine learning.
The following is an interview with Dr. Xin Sui:
1. Could you briefly introduce yourself to our readers and tell us a little bit about your fields of interest?
I received a B.Eng. degree from the Northeast Electric Power University, Jilin, China, in 2015, and an M.Sc. degree from the Institute of Electrical Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China, in 2018, both in electrical engineering. In 2022, I received a Ph.D. degree in machine learning for battery state of health estimation from the Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark.
I was a visiting researcher with the Department of Electrical Engineering, Chalmers University of Technology, Gothenburg, in 2023, and with the Department of Mechanical Engineering, Imperial College London, London, UK, in 2024. I am currently leading the AI track in the Smart Battery project as a postdoc researcher with the Center for Research on Smart Battery (CROSBAT), AAU Energy, Aalborg University.
With 6+ years of experience in lithium-ion battery research, I specialize in battery modeling and AI for battery state estimation. In addition, I have a keen interest in various aspects of battery management systems, ranging from pulse current technology and thermal modeling to transfer learning and meta-learning for lifetime prediction. My future vision is to leverage AI in BMS, enhancing the energy efficiency, lifetime, and sustainability of battery system, reducing environmental impact, and achieving a resilient and cost-effective energy future.
I am a member of the IEEE Young Professionals, WIE, WiIES, PELS, IAS, IES, USA, and an active reviewer for relevant top-tier journals. I have served as a special session chair at IEEE conferences multiple times. I also served as a Guest Associate Editor of the Batteries-featured Special Issue “Artificial Intelligence-Based State-of-Health Estimation of Lithium-Ion Batteries”, both 1st and 2nd edition, with the 1st edition published in an MDPI book.
2. How does it feel to receive this recognition for your work? Where do you obtain journal award participation information?
Receiving this recognition from the award committee is deeply gratifying. It not only acknowledges my contributions to the field of smart battery management but also encourages me to continue my research with greater enthusiasm. My work, which focuses on using AI and features engineering techniques for battery state estimation and lifetime prediction, aims to develop a health system for batteries that can significantly extend their lifetime relying on software-based management. This award reaffirms that my research is not only relevant but also impactful in advancing how we manage and optimize battery technologies.
3. Have you promoted the journal at any conference? In addition to that, how do you prefer to share the journal with your community?
Yes, I have promoted this journal at various conferences, particularly focusing on the Special Issues I’ve guest-edited, other Special Issues related to my research, as well as information regarding various awards. Besides conferences, I also share information about the journal through workshops and social media platforms like LinkedIn.
4. How did winning this award impact your career, and what do you hope to do?
Winning the Batteries 2024 Travel Award has significant impact on my career by providing me with the opportunity to present my research at the prestigious 10th International Power Electronics and Motion Control Conference, ECCE Asia (IPEMC 2024-ECCE Asia), scheduled in Chengdu, China, from 17 to 20 May 2024. At this conference, I will give an oral presentation of my recent work, entitled “AI for Smart Battery State Estimation: A Perspective”. Additionally, I will chair a special session, titled “Smart Integration of Electrified Vehicles in V2G Systems: Bridging Battery Health and Smart Grid Stability”, where I will facilitate discussions on cutting-edge topics that align closely with my research interests. Additionally, by interacting with leading researchers and industry professionals, I aim to expand my professional network and explore potential collaborations that will enhance contributions to smart battery technology.
5. What is your opinion of the open access model of publishing?
I strongly support the open access model. On the one hand, it helps researchers all around the world, regardless of institution or financial background, to access the latest research advancements, facilitating knowledge sharing and science and technological progress. On the other hand, it helps researchers gain wider visibility, thereby leading to greater academic recognition and more citations. Of course, it’s crucial that open access journals maintain strict and professional peer review processes to ensure the quality of the publications.
6. Which research topics do you think will be of particular interest to the research community in the coming years?
I think that research focused on integrating AI with various disciplines, or interdisciplinary collaborations, will be particularly important and interesting. The capability of AI in rapidly and accurately analyzing large datasets and interpreting complex systems will potentially revolutionize various sectors. For instance, in healthcare, AI is indispensable for customizing medical treatments, while in energy and transportation sectors, it can enhance smart battery management and grid optimization.
7. Do you have any advice for aspiring young researchers looking to make a meaningful impact in their respective fields?
As a fellow young researcher, instead of offering specific advice, I’d prefer to share my personal perspective based on what I’ve learned so far. Firstly, I think it’s important for us to broaden our scientific perspective. One should not work in isolation but stay informed about the latest research trends and current hot topics. Secondly, maintaining our passion is crucial. Actively participating in conferences not only helps promote our work, but also allows us to exchange valuable ideas with peers, from whom you can gain much experience and guidance. Lastly, do not rush the process. Everyone has their own unique development trajectory, and it’s important to persist at our own pace and stay true to your professional growth goals.
8. As the winner of this award, is there something you want to express or someone to thank?
First and foremost, I would like to extend my deepest gratitude to the Batteries Award Committee for this honor. The journal maintains high editorial standards and gathers a wide range of interesting and novel research in the field of batteries. I am profoundly thankful to my supervisor, Prof. Remus Teodorescu at AAU Energy, for his inspiration, guidance, and encouragement on my research journey. I also appreciate the professionalism and efficiency of the Special Issue Editors at MDPI’s journal Batteries (ISSN: 2313-0105) and the support from my peers, whose collective effort greatly contributed to the success of the Special Issue for which I served as a Guest Editor.