Batteries for robotic spacecraft

Dr. John-Paul Jones is a technologist at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in the electrochemical research, technology, and engineering group with research projects in lithium-ion batteries, primary lithium batteries, atomic layer deposition techniques, molten salt batteries, solid oxide fuel cells, electrochemical CO₂ reduction, and astrobiology. He is engaged in fundamental research to develop new battery chemistry, with an overall focus on energy storage and conversion for space systems. He is also currently the battery cognizant engineer for the Mars Sample Return Lander and CADRE (Cooperative Autonomous Distributed Robotic Explorers) missions. Dr. Marshall C. Smart is a principal member of the technical staff at JPL in the electrochemical research, technology, and engineering group, where he has worked since 1994. He received a PhD in organic chemistry from the University of Southern California in 1998. He is currently the cognizant engineer of the Li-ion Battery for the Europa Clipper project and the Mars 2020 Ingenuity Helicopter. His research includes the development of low-temperature electrolytes for lithium-ion batteries, and his electrolyte technology has been used on a number of Mars missions. Dr. Charlie Krause joined the electrochemical research, technology, and engineering group at JPL in 2008 as a graduate student and, later, a Caltech postdoctoral fellow. He currently works as a technologist in electrochemical energy storage, including batteries, supercapacitors, and fuel cells, with a focus on electrolyte design. During his time with the group, he supported projects including NASA missions, technology development, engineering safety, and external partnerships. Charlie completed a B.A. in organic chemistry in 2006 at Pomona College and a PhD in chemistry from the University of Southern California under the advisement of Dr. Surya Prakash and Dr. George Olah. Dr. Will West is group supervisor of JPL's electrochemical technology group. He has worked at JPL as principal investigator, co-investigator, and task manager for numerous research and technology development programs related to electrochemistry and energy storage/conversion. In addition to his R&D activities, he has served as cognizant engineer for the rover and descent stage batteries on the JPL's Mars Perseverance Rover mission. He holds 36 U.S. and international patents and is author/co-author on approximately 70 journal articles and 100 conference presentations. Dr. Erik J. Brandon is a principal member of the technical staff and currently serves as the chief technologist for the power and sensor systems section at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in Pasadena, CA. Prior to this role, he served for nine years as the technical group supervisor for the electrochemical technologies group at JPL. He is currently leading the development of batteries for the Europa Lander Pre-Project. Dr. Brandon also serves as a reviewer or external advisor for several Department of Energy and NASA programs. He received a PhD degree in inorganic chemistry from the University of Utah.