Paul Gasper is a staff scientist for the Electrochemical Energy Storage group within the Energy Conversion and Systems Center at NREL. Paul’s research focuses on battery diagnostics, performance modeling, and lifetime prediction using statistical and machine-learning methods, as well as incorporating battery life models into NREL technoeconomic optimization and simulation software tools like REopt and System Advisor Model. In addition, Paul designs and runs accelerated battery degradation studies using electrochemical and ex-situ diagnostic techniques to quantify and monitor battery state. Paul’s doctorate work concentrated on the modification of solid oxide fuel cell electrodes to improve performance, using current-voltage data and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy to deconvolute mass transfer and charge transfer resistances.

Research Interests

Battery lifespan

Machine-learning for advanced batteries

Energy storage

Education

Ph.D., Materials Science and Engineering, Boston University

M.S., Materials Science and Engineering, Worcester Polytechnic Institute

B.S., Mechanical Engineering, Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Featured Work

Challenging Practices of Algebraic Battery Life Models through Statistical Validation and Model Identification via Machine-Learning, Journal of the Electrochemical Society (2021)

Machine-Learning Assisted Identification of Accurate Battery Lifetime Models with Uncertainty, Journal of the Electrochemical Society (2022)

Predicting Battery Capacity from Impedance at Varying Temperature and State of Charge Using Machine Learning, Cell Reports Physical Science (2022)

Review—"Knees" in Lithium-Ion Battery Aging Trajectories, Journal of the Electrochemical Society (2022)

Lithium-Ion Battery Life Model with Electrode Cracking and Early-Life Break-in Processes, Journal of the Electrochemical Society (2021)

Improving Intermediate Temperature Performance Of Ni-YSZ Cermet Anodes For Solid Oxide Fuel Cells By Liquid Infiltration Of Nickel Nanoparticles, Journal of Power Sources (2018)

Patents

Nanoparticle Deposition in Porous and Planar Substrates, U.S. Patent No. 10,287,701 (2019)

Awards and Honors

NREL President’s Award (2022)

NREL Postdoc and Graduate Student of the Quarter (2021)