Jan Marti_employee profile

“Applying data science to solve technical challenges fascinates me. At Bühler, I can combine mechanical and process engineering with numerical modelling, data analysis, and software development. This is an exciting mix. Working in the battery team, I contribute to the electrification of mobility and to a sustainable energy transition.”

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Detecting deficient quality immediately

“I am responsible for QuaLiB, a new technology for assessing and optimizing the quality of lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery slurry, which is the key component of Li-ion batteries that power most electrical cars, laptops, mobile phones, and other electronic devices.

This data holds massive potential for waste and energy reduction. I develop algorithms and models that use the measured data to evaluate the slurry quality and its dependence on the extruder parameters. This information is then used to automatically control the battery slurry production process to achieve the best possible quality. As the system collects sensor data every single second, it detects deficient quality immediately and is able to intervene at an early stage to ensure that only high-quality product proceeds to the next production steps. This reduces waste and therefore energy and costs: The downstream processes to produce a ready-to-use battery from the battery slurry are expensive and consume a lot of energy.

We have successfully completed the first lab trials in Uzwil, Switzerland and in the Bühler battery lab in Wuxi, China. Currently, two large-scale QuaLiB systems are installed at a production site of a Chinese customer, which is why I work closely together with my Chinese colleagues.

The challenges I face in my job are very complex and require the collaboration of diverse people to be solved efficiently. The QuaLiB project could not be successful without the support and inputs from battery technologists, automation experts, engineers, and the colleagues who are in close contact with the customers and understand their needs. I really enjoy this interdisciplinary work because it offers the opportunity to see multiple perspectives and different approaches.”

Artificial intelligence

“My role enables me to combine theoretical research with hands-on engineering in the lab, where I can put a theoretical concept into practice. I am currently analyzing the data from a series of lab trials for a smaller QuaLiB system we are designing specifically for our lab- and pilot-scale battery extruders. I exchange ideas with other Bühler departments to explore possibilities to extend the QuaLiB concept for other applications, for example, for measuring the quality of ink or the parameters of the viscous feed mass in insect technology.

The next big step for us is improving the plant automation concept to generate the most value from the data we collect. We want to use artificial intelligence to create a smart system that continuously learns from the data and will eventually be able to self-optimize the process.”

Accelerating the electrification of mobility

“Sustainability has always been important to me. Before I joined Bühler, I had pursued an academic career and completed a PhD and postdoctoral research in the field of renewable energy carriers at ETH Zurich, the Swiss Federal Federal Institute of Technology. I left academia to explore the power of data science in the industry, and around 1.5 years ago, I joined the Bühler battery team.

With my work here, I can really create positive change. Due to the need to accelerate efforts to tackle climate change and the increasing public concern for air pollution, mobility will undergo tremendous changes and will rely more and more on electrification. For the mass adoption of electro-mobility, a consistent battery performance is vital.

The software algorithms I’m developing give insights into the battery slurry production process and enable an improved process control to reduce waste and increase the production yield. This is key, as the main challenges for battery manufacturers are to further reduce manufacturing costs and improve the quality of batteries. It motivates me to know that I’m contributing to Bühler’s sustainability targets and working in a field that can have a positive impact on the environment.”

With my work here, I can really create positive change. Due to the need to accelerate efforts to tackle climate change and the increasing public concern for air pollution, mobility will undergo tremendous changes and will rely more and more on electrification.

Jan Marti,
Data Scientist for Battery Solutions