Agilent Presents Awards to 3 Professors for Lithium-Ion Battery Research

Agilent Technologies Inc. has announced the recipients of its Solutions Innovation Research Awards (SIRA), recognizing three distinguished professors for their contributions to battery technology. The awards were presented to Anders Bentien of Aarhus University, Walter Gössler of the University of Graz, and Gregory Offer of Imperial College London (1). As part of the award winnings, each researcher will receive a one-year loan from Agilent, who will provide them with their analytical instruments to support their projects in battery research and sustainability (1).

Agilent established the SIRA program in 2023 to inspire impactful academic applications of its products, addressing pressing scientific challenges in fields like energy storage and semiconductor technologies. This initiative highlights Agilent’s commitment to advancing research in the advanced materials and energy sectors (1). The 2025 awardees follow in the footsteps of the previous winners, Professors Michel Barsoum and Yury Gogotsi at Drexel University and Professor Ananda Amarasekara at Prairie View A&M University, in being recognized for their efforts in advancing energy storage and battery technologies (2).

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Lithium-ion batteries are used in various electronic devices and equipment, and the performance of these batteries are often crucial to how well these technological advancements operate (4). Lithium-ion batteries and battery technology are seen as important to not only to global economy, but they power many of the important electronic devices that people use daily. Improving lithium-ion batteries, therefore, with respect to their capacity and stability is of high scientific importance (3). Agilent awarding Bentien, Gössler, and Offer showcase that instrument providers and the industry leaders value research in this space.

Bentien’s work uses atomic spectroscopy technologies to study flow battery systems at Aarhus University in Denmark (1). With access to the Agilent 5900 ICP-OES instrument, Bentien aims to use it to advance the kinetic and thermodynamic understanding of battery systems.

The second awardee at the Gössler’s research is focused on lithium-ion battery recycling (1). His project aims to enhance recycling efficiency and sustainability while minimizing environmental impact (1). Gössler will be provided with Agilent’s 8900 Triple Quadrupole ICP-MS instrument to aid him in his work improving battery recycling.

And finally, the third recipient, Offer was recognized for his work addressing challenges in lithium-ion battery performance degradation. Using the Agilent 5977C GC–MSD instrument, Offer and his team is planning to analyze gases produced during various battery life stages (1). These insights should help him inform physics-based models to guide industry improvements in safer, longer-lasting battery packs (1). Offer’s work mostly battery, fuel cell, and supercapacitor technology and their application in transport (5).

Nahid Chalyavi, Associate Vice President of University Relations and External Research at Agilent, congratulated the awardees in a statement.

"The innovative work of Professors Bentien, Gössler, and Offer exemplifies the progress necessary to meet global energy storage challenges,” said Chalyavi in a press release (1). “By providing state-of-the-art tools, Agilent empowers researchers to unlock insights and develop solutions that could reshape energy storage technologies.”

Agilent Technologies provides analytical and laboratory instrumentation, software, and expertise to its clients. The company reported $6.51 billion in revenue for fiscal year 2024 and approximately 18,000 employees worldwide (1).

References

1. Agilent Technologies, Agilent Presents Solutions Innovation Research Awards to Aarhus University, University of Graz, and Imperial College London Scientists. Agilent. Available at: https://www.investor.agilent.com/news-and-events/news/news-details/2025/Agilent-Presents-Solutions-Innovation-Research-Awards-to-Aarhus-University-University-of-Graz-and-Imperial-College-London-Scientists/default.aspx (accessed 2025-01-14).
2. Agilent Technologies, Agilent Presents Solutions Innovation Research Awards to Drexel University and Prairie View A&M University Researchers. Agilent. Available at: https://www.agilent.com/about/newsroom/presrel/2024/29feb-ca24003.html (accessed 2025-01-14).
3. Hroncich, C. The Fundamental Role of Advanced Hyphenated Techniques in Lithium-Ion Battery Research. Spectrosc. Suppl. 2024, 39 (s11), 22–23. https://www.spectroscopyonline.com/view/the-fundamental-role-of-advanced-hyphenated-techniques-in-lithium-ion-battery-research
4. Wetzel, W. Micro-LIBS Device Offers Elemental Insights for Lithium-Ion Batteries. Spectrosc. Suppl. 2024, 39 (s11), 18–19. https://www.spectroscopyonline.com/view/micro-libs-device-offers-elemental-insights-for-lithium-ion-batteries
5. Imperial College of London, Gregory Offer Bio. Imperial College of London. Available at: https://profiles.imperial.ac.uk/gregory.offer (accessed 2025-01-15).