Juan C Garcia preview image

Juan C Garcia

Materials Scientist

Dr. Juan Garcia is an expert in molecular and multi-scale modeling of materials

Biography

Juan Garcia is a Materials Scientist in the Molecular Materials Group in the Materials Science Division. He is a chemical engineer by training and got a PhD on computational chemistry at Worcester Polytechnic Institute in 2014. His research interest includes multi-scale modeling, high performance computing and software development. Before joining Argonne, he worked as a postdoctoral researcher at the Technical University of Eindhoven in the Netherlands. In Argonne, he works on the molecular modeling of energy storage systems.

Awards

2024 Argonne Commercialization Excellence Delivering Impact Award.

His work on lead acid battery materials in partnership with industry sponsors earned him the 2024 Argonne Commercialization Excellence Delivering Impact Award.

2017 Postdoctoral Performance Award. The award recognizes exceptional performance in the areas of basic research, engineering research and applied research.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2017 Postdoctoral Performance Award. The award recognizes exceptional performance in the areas of basic research, engineering research and applied research. Dr. Garcia supports High Energy and High Voltage, a high-visibility DOE project aiming to develop next-generation lithium-ion couples capable of meeting DOE targets for transportation applications. ​“Dr. García is described as a natural leader, often sought out by other postdocs for advice and guidance”.

Highlights

Here are pickled electrolyte molecules (PF2OSiMe3) binding to reaction centers on the cathode surface. For the ball-and-stick molecules attached to cathode surface, olive green indicates phosphorus (P); purple, fluorine (F); red, oxygen (O); and structure above oxygen, SiMe3. (Image by Argonne Natio

The paper Chemical ​“Pickling” of Phosphite Additives Mitigates Impedance Rise in Li Ion Batteries has been highligted in several media outlets (phys​.org, NERSC, Argonne today). In this work, we used computer simulations to help reveal the mechanism behind a common additive known to extend the life of lithium-ion batteries. At its heart is a chemical reaction similar to pickling.