Javit Drake (4th from right) with Nigerian MIT-ETT visiting faculty.
MIT Department of Chemical Engineering, Building 66, 16 December 2022.
Photo: Angelique Scarpa, courtesy of MIT Department of Chemical Engineering

On December 6, 2022, Dr. Javit Drake [2022-23 MIT MLK Visiting Scholar in the Department of Chemical Engineering] delivered a well-received seminar to Nigerian visiting engineering and science faculty who are the Fall 2022 cohorts in the MIT Empowering the Teachers (MIT-ETT) program.

Titled "Batteries and Fuel Cells: Approaches for Broader Viability Against Climate Change," the seminar drew interest in electrochemical energy among the professors, who plan to continue to exchange with Dr. Drake. His talk began with strong motivation for reduction in emissions that contribute to climate change through broad adoption of carbon-neutral technologies, such as batteries and fuel cells, for electric vehicles and stationary energy storage. Dr. Drake’s collaborative research aims to address two major challenges to broader adoption: how rapidly and how long batteries can operate (e.g., fast charging and driving range). Inside batteries, key bottlenecks are overheating and there is sluggish movement of ions. Dr. Drake relayed these key scientific concepts in highly relatable examples and analogies that also exemplify his teaching philosophy. The seminar closed with Dr. Drake offering appreciation to the visiting professors for their time and engagement at MIT during Fall 2022, followed by reconvening on December 16 for farewells and photographs.

Javit Drake (top row, 2nd from right) with Nigerian MIT-ETT visiting faculty. 
MIT Department of Chemical Engineering, Building 66, 16 December 2022.
Photo: Angelique Scarpa, courtesy of MIT Department of Chemical Engineering