I am William Smith Foundation Dean's Professor of Mechanical Engineering at Worcester Polytechnic Institute. Since joining WPI, I have been very active in research. Currently, my lab focuses on the study of new electrodes and materials for energy storage, including lithium ion batteries, supercapacitors, flow batteries, battery manufacturing, battery safety and recycle, and fundamental electrochemistry. This research can lead to energy storage with high energy density, high power density, long life, low cost, and high safety. In addition to fundamental research, I have commercialized the technologies developed in my lab.
Research Interests
Professional Highlights & Honors
News
Media Coverage
The Boston Globe dove into the unique lithium-ion battery recycling process developed by Prof. Yan Wang. They also covered the company he founded with former PhD student Eric Gratz, Ascend Elements, and its plans for expansion.
The Boston Globe reports on the how Ascend Elements, a company started at WPI, is a leader in the lithium-ion battery. While at WPI, the Ascend leadership team developed a unique process to recycle the batteries, so they can be reused without sacrificing performance.