eLEExir Anniversary: Celebrating a Decade of LEE legacy

Mecaelah Palaganas • July 2, 2024

Looking back...

LEE first accepted six undergraduate members in the 1st semester A.Y. 2014-2015 with the return of Prof. Julie Anne del Rosario-Paraggua from South Korea. While on his last year of PhD studies, Prof. Joey D. Ocon was already busy preparing research proposal ideas, which would later mature into funded research projects to jumpstart the R&D activities and buy the equipment for LEE. In 2015, LEE welcomed graduate students in the chemical engineering and energy engineering graduate programs. In June 2016, barely a year upon Prof. Ocon’s return to UP from his study-leave, LEE started five projects funded by UP, CHED-PCARI and DOST. In the same year, the laboratory began its apprenticeship program catering to sophomore undergraduate students for fast-tracked development. During the initial outbreak of COVID-19, the laboratory was able to successfully expand its research activities and secure millions of pesos of funding for the CHED-PCARI Project CIPHER and the NICER Advanced Batteries Center Program. 

Looking forward...

Today, the laboratory is now home to 3 ongoing research projects, two students with a completed Master’s Degree in just a year, and a network of 40+ strong researchers, students, and staff. LEE has also mentored 30 MS and PhD students, and has published more than 100 ISI and Scopus-indexed publications. Now that we are celebrating our tenth year, the legacy continues as we further our commitment to pioneering research and innovation.

The laboratory will continue to take on the technological challenge of finding efficient and sustainable energy supplies that can meet the growing demands of mankind while preserving the environment.
 
The alumni and the current members of the lab recently celebrated this milestone at Villa on the RAXX, Antipolo, on June 2-3, 2024, enjoying an evening of exciting games, lively performances, and shared stories. As they reminisced about LEE's humble beginnings and celebrated its growth, they reflected on the collaborative journey and the lasting impact of their work in advancing sustainable energy solutions.

𝐀𝐬 𝐰𝐞 𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐬𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐝 𝐝𝐞𝐜𝐚𝐝𝐞, 𝐋𝐄𝐄 𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐬 𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐟𝐚𝐬𝐭 𝐢𝐧 𝐢𝐭𝐬 𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐨 𝐩𝐮𝐬𝐡 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰𝐥𝐞𝐝𝐠𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐞𝐜𝐡𝐧𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐲 𝐢𝐧 𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐦𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐟𝐨𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐚𝐝𝐯𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐛𝐮𝐭𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐚 𝐠𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐫, 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐬𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐟𝐮𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐚𝐥𝐥.

Article by: Mecaelah S. Palaganas

Photos from the 10th Anniversary Celebration on June 2-3 in Antipolo.

By Mecaelah Palaganas November 30, 2024
LEE research staff and graduate students participated in an in-house training and workshop on the Python for Power Systems Analysis (PyPSA) toolbox on October 9 and 23, 2024 . The sessions were led by Arizeo Salac (SRS 1, ElectriPHI), who returned from a six-month research sandwich program at the Reiner Lemoine Institute in Berlin, Germany , where he focused on data-driven decision-making and energy systems modeling. The training included a detailed discussion on energy systems modeling, with key topics such as data sources and the representation of energy systems using both conventional and renewable technologies. Participants received hands-on assistance with the software setup and installation, followed by simulation activities that showcased PyPSA’s capabilities in energy and power systems analysis. Mr. Salac also presented his baseline model of the Philippine energy system, which can be utilized for energy transition scenario planning. The event aimed to enhance participants' proficiency with open-source modeling tools, share best practices in modeling, and support their research in energy systems. Article by: Sophia Lunor
By Mecaelah Palaganas November 30, 2024
Prof. Joey D. Ocon, Dr. Julie Anne D.R. Paraggua, Dr. Lawrence Limjuco, and Giancarlo Sanglay were among the Filipino delegates at the 2nd ASEAN Battery Technology Conference , held from August 21 to 23, 2024 , at the Shangri-La Rasa Sentosa in Singapore. Themed "Powering ASEAN: Innovating the Future of Battery," the event was co-organized by key ASEAN associations from Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines. They were accompanied by LEE member and graduate student, Giancarlo Sanglay and NextGen Project Chief Technical Specialist, Dr. Lawrence Limjuco, of the Advanced Batteries Center. The conference aimed to foster connections among researchers, engineers, and industry stakeholders within the battery and electric vehicle (EV) sectors. It provided a platform for knowledge exchange, technical discussions, and potential collaborations. Key topics included the development of the Battery and EV Roadmap for Southeast Asia, as well as government policies and regulations surrounding battery and energy storage systems (ESS) applications. Industry leaders and academic experts also addressed technological advancements in battery materials, financial support for innovations, and strategies for managing the end-of-life value chain of batteries. Prof. Ocon, who also serves as Co-Founder of Nascent Batteries, played an active role in the event by moderating a panel discussion on advancing ESS technologies in Asia. The panel featured representatives from prominent organizations, including EDP Renewables APAC, Green Tenaga Pte Ltd, and the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand. This collaborative event underscored the region's commitment to advancing sustainable energy solutions and highlighted the critical role of ASEAN countries in driving innovation within the battery and EV industries. Article by: Lora Monique Sapanta
By Mecaelah Palaganas November 30, 2024
The Laboratory of Electrochemical Engineering (LEE) held a despedida party to bid farewell to two of its active members — Ms. Rosela Lazaro and Asst. Prof. Michael Castro — as they embark on a new chapter of their academic journey. The LEE members, along with their laboratory head, Prof. Joey D. Ocon, celebrated through a friendly competition at the Ever Gotesco Bowling Alley, Commonwealth Avenue last August 19, 2024. This also fostered camaraderie and strengthened the bond and friendship between the lab members. Ms. Lazaro will be studying MS in Environmental Science and Engineering at Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology, South Korea. Meanwhile, Asst. Prof. Castro will be pursuing a doctorate degree in Nuclear Engineering and Management at the University of Tokyo, Japan. He will be returning to UP Diliman to tend to his duties at the Department of Chemical Engineering. Indeed, ‘goodbyes’ are not the end. It marks a beginning of a new ‘hello’, a step closer to making dreams come true. To Sir Michael, ganbatte! To Sela, hwaiting! We are all rooting for you both! Article by: Lora Monique Sapanta
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