My Work
My interest in nanotechnology and interfacial science first began during my post-doctoral research appointment in Electrochemistry. My experiences in this field led to a keen interest at the intersection of chemistry and electricity and the related scientific issues. Following this post-doctoral appointment, I was hired as a Senior Scientist by Greatbatch, Inc., a manufacturer of components for medical devices here in Western New York. This company’s interests in power as well as in internal medicine naturally led me to pursue unique battery uses in the biomedical arena.
After working with Greatbatch in various capacities for twenty-two years, I made the decision to move into a university setting. Funded by the Greatbatch Professorship in Power Sources Research in the Departments of Chemical and Biological Engineering and Electrical Engineering at UB, I continue to explore the possibilities for high energy density, long-life batteries for medical and other applications. While I thoroughly enjoyed my time working directly for a manufacturer in my work with Greatbatch, working in a university setting allows me to be truly creative in my research on innovative uses and capabilities for batteries and the devices which they power.
In the short time I have spent at UB thus far, I have already explored numerous collaborations with departments and professors across the university. My primary partnerships are with the School of Medicine and the Department of Electrical Engineering; however, I have also worked with numerous individuals from the Departments of Chemical and Biological Engineering and Chemistry. These collaborations are essential for the successful implementation of my battery research.
My Research
My research on lithium batteries includes both the search for novel nano or nanostructured materials and the understanding and control of parasitic reactions that affect or limit the overall lifetime of a battery. Through the use of increasingly smaller batteries and the complementary lengthening of a battery’s lifetime we are able to explore new territories in the field of implantable medical devices.
A primary focus of my research, as well as that of new national initiatives, is the development of microbatteries. The batteries currently utilized by devices from my prior work, such as the implantable defibrillator and pacemaker, range from about 3-7 ccs in size. One of the ultimate goals of my work is to make a long-lasting battery for use in nanomedicince that is sub-1 cc in its size, allowing for smaller medical devices and an easier implantation process.
The fundamentals of my work on these nano-sized batteries are not only useful to nanomedicine, but apply to all battery problems generally and have far-reaching implications beyond my personal research focus. These applications can range from the current push towards hybrid or all-electric vehicles to the intelligence community and the Department of Homeland Security. Battery research will continue to be an important field of study and the use of nanotechnology will help to further its potential in our society.