Hi everyone, I am seeking for some feedbacks on my motivation letter for Ms Applied Physics in TU Delft. Thank you!
Requirement:
A clear and relevant essay in English (1,000 - 1,500 words) addressing the following:
Your motivation for choosing this MSc programme.
Why you are interested in TU Delft and what you expect to find here.
If this MSc programme has specialisation(s), which specialisation interests you the most and why?
Describe your hypothetical thesis project: what kind of project would you prefer? What would you want to explore? Please limit your answer to three possible topics.
Summarize in a maximum of 250 words your BSc thesis work or final assignment/project. Please include information about the workload.
===========================================
My research interest lies at the intersection of physics and energy materials, particularly advancing battery technologies through cutting-edge characterization techniques. Applying to the MSc Applied Physics - Physics for Energy track at TU Delft, I aim to deepen my knowledge in this field and contribute to impactful research with experts here.
My first experience with battery materials research came during an exchange semester at McGill University in early 2024, where I sought to gain exposure to this field due to limited opportunities at my home university. In a research project course under the supervision of PhD student Meysam Naghizadeh and Prof. Raynald Gauvin, I investigated the cracking behavior of sodium-ion layered cathodes. I analyzed and quantified crack density and area using SEM images and ImageJ, correlating cracks with structural features and defects. Combined with the literature review, I proposed a cracking model where twin boundaries act as initiation sites for layer delamination over cycling. I also took a graduate-level Electrochemistry class with Prof. Janine Mauzeroll, where I learned about electrochemical cells, electron transfer kinetics, cyclic voltammetry, impedance spectroscopy, related simulations, and data analysis. These experiences deepened my passion for battery materials research and strengthened my commitment to advancing the field.
In the summer of 2024, I joined a two-month research program at the Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin (HZB), supervised by Dr. Régis Decker, to support the commissioning of the AXSYS-TES, a resonant inelastic x-ray scattering (RIXS) spectrometer at the BESSY II synchrotron. This innovative instrument, featuring microwave-multiplexing superconducting transition-edge sensors (TES), offers ultrahigh flux and comparable energy resolution to traditional spectrometers, enabling the study of low-concentration or radiation-sensitive systems. Dr. Decker and I collaborated with scientists from NIST and MPI-CEC to integrate the TES with a dilution refrigerator and experimental station of the beamline. I directly handled the assembly of these advanced instruments, ensuring electronic connections, addressing mechanical and electrical noise to make the spectrometer usable. This experience helped me realize the importance of technical details in science, as even minor flaws in tightening a screw or handling a sensitive component could cost significant resources and months of effort. In the end, the spectrometer achieved a count rate 100 times higher than a commercial RIXS detector and roughly 10 times better than a previous TES setup at the synchrotron at Stanford. Additionally, I developed Python functions to streamline data processing and visualization, reducing beamline operation complexities for future users. Through this multi-organizational project, I gained a deeper appreciation for scientific collaboration and significantly enhanced my teamwork skills by actively engaging with experts from diverse fields to drive the project toward success.
Building on the synchrotron experience at BESSY II, I joined the one-month summer school in X-ray and Neutron Science organized by ILL and ESRF in September 2024. During the lecture program, a case study on simultaneous X-ray and neutron imaging of lithium-ion batteries revealed internal lithium distribution and structural changes during operation, inspiring me to employ large-scale facilities for future battery research work. For my project, I worked at the microtomography beamline ID19 - ESRF under the supervision of Dr. Daniel Foster to image different wood species. With only one beamtime day near the end of the project, I prepared rigorously by studying the concept of tomography, backprojection reconstruction, Paganin's phase retrieval algorithm, and wood microstructures to optimize working efficiency. On beamtime day, an unexpected power outage disrupted the schedule, forcing me to reprioritize and adapt the imaging plan for critical data collection. Although my supervisor was also sick on that day, thanks to my regular involvement in other beamtime sessions, I took the lead in controlling the beamline and successfully conducted the overnight experiment. Then, I reconstructed the 3D information from all samples and automated segmentation with Python to extract quantitative information on wood microstructures such as rays, lumens, and vessels. This work serves as a basis for future in situ compression tests, and we plan to share the data in open databases such as The Wood Database and Inside Wood. This experience with synchrotron techniques and exposure to multidisciplinary research through discussions with daily users at the ESRF inspires me to apply large-scale facility methods and creative problem-solving approaches to future energy materials research.
The MSc Program in Applied Physics - Physics for Energy track at TU Delft perfectly aligns with my passion, physics background, and interest in contributing to battery materials research. Traditional physics programs often lack training in energy materials, making it difficult to gain practical experience in this field when the priority is given to students with more coherent training. This program resolves my concerns by offering a rigorous physics approach integrating multiple aspects of energy research. I am particularly drawn to the course AP3332, "Physics of Energy Materials", where I can explore the underlying physics of various energy materials systems and advanced characterization methods to study them, especially large-scale facilities techniques. With my experiences at BESSY II and ESRF, I am eager to apply my knowledge to energy materials and batteries to use these techniques to design experiments and achieve meaningful results for my future scientific career. Furthermore, TU Delft's strong research environment aligns with my goal of gaining hands-on research experience through cutting-edge projects alongside my studies. I am particularly interested in the Storage of Electrochemical Energy (SEE) group and their work on solid-state batteries. The use of a large spectrum of advanced techniques to study battery morphology and structural changes during operation fascinates me. Moreover, TU Delft's collaborative spirit stands out as its involvement in the BatteryNL project reflects a commitment to advancing scientific knowledge and making a societal impact. I am excited to connect with Dutch battery institutes like TNO and Holst Centre and startups like LeydenJar and LionVolt through this initiative, building a network and gaining practical experience to prepare for an impactful career in the future.
For my hypothetical thesis project, I want to work with the SEE group, utilizing operando techniques to address interface challenges in sulfide-based solid-state batteries (SSBs). SSBs are promising due to their improved safety and energy density compared to liquid electrolyte lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). However, poor interfacial contact and instability at the solid electrolyte-electrode interface remain major obstacles to commercialization. Sulfide-based solid electrolytes offer great potential for SSBs due to their mechanical softness and high ionic conductivity. However, their degradation during cycling remains a challenge - the area I aim to investigate for the thesis project. Using advanced in-situ techniques like TEM, XRD, and electrochemical cycling tests, I plan to gain real-time insights into interfacial phenomena during operation, such as solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) formation, decomposition, and contact loss. I also want to explore how applied pressure during the cold-pressing stage, which enhances electrode-solid electrolyte contact, affects battery performance and stability. Furthermore, given enough time and plans, synchrotron-based methods like XAS for analyzing redox behavior or nanotomography for a 3D view of interfacial processes at the atomic scale can be used to provide deeper insights to guide improvements in the future design of sulfide-based SSBs.
My bachelor's final project will start next semester. I will work under the supervision of Prof. Florian Bahnhart at the IPCMS to characterize metallic nanoparticles using transmission electron microscopy (TEM). This project will provide me with hands-on experience in sample preparation, TEM imaging, electron diffraction, elemental mapping, and data analysis, which complements my theoretical understanding of TEM through an online course by EPFL. This will also prepare me well for my interest in future work in the SEE group, where in situ TEM is widely used to study the electrochemical behavior of battery materials. The final project will span one day per week throughout the semester, earning 3 ECTS credits, resulting in a written report and an oral presentation.
I am determined to pursue a research career in physics for energy materials in the academic environment or industrial labs. Studying at TU Delft would provide me with the necessary knowledge and practical experience and expand my network to facilitate PhD or industrial opportunities. If given the chance, I would work extremely hard to develop myself and contribute to TU Delft's research excellence and social impact.
Requirement:
A clear and relevant essay in English (1,000 - 1,500 words) addressing the following:
Your motivation for choosing this MSc programme.
Why you are interested in TU Delft and what you expect to find here.
If this MSc programme has specialisation(s), which specialisation interests you the most and why?
Describe your hypothetical thesis project: what kind of project would you prefer? What would you want to explore? Please limit your answer to three possible topics.
Summarize in a maximum of 250 words your BSc thesis work or final assignment/project. Please include information about the workload.
===========================================
My research interest lies at the intersection of physics and energy materials, particularly advancing battery technologies through cutting-edge characterization techniques. Applying to the MSc Applied Physics - Physics for Energy track at TU Delft, I aim to deepen my knowledge in this field and contribute to impactful research with experts here.
My first experience with battery materials research came during an exchange semester at McGill University in early 2024, where I sought to gain exposure to this field due to limited opportunities at my home university. In a research project course under the supervision of PhD student Meysam Naghizadeh and Prof. Raynald Gauvin, I investigated the cracking behavior of sodium-ion layered cathodes. I analyzed and quantified crack density and area using SEM images and ImageJ, correlating cracks with structural features and defects. Combined with the literature review, I proposed a cracking model where twin boundaries act as initiation sites for layer delamination over cycling. I also took a graduate-level Electrochemistry class with Prof. Janine Mauzeroll, where I learned about electrochemical cells, electron transfer kinetics, cyclic voltammetry, impedance spectroscopy, related simulations, and data analysis. These experiences deepened my passion for battery materials research and strengthened my commitment to advancing the field.
In the summer of 2024, I joined a two-month research program at the Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin (HZB), supervised by Dr. Régis Decker, to support the commissioning of the AXSYS-TES, a resonant inelastic x-ray scattering (RIXS) spectrometer at the BESSY II synchrotron. This innovative instrument, featuring microwave-multiplexing superconducting transition-edge sensors (TES), offers ultrahigh flux and comparable energy resolution to traditional spectrometers, enabling the study of low-concentration or radiation-sensitive systems. Dr. Decker and I collaborated with scientists from NIST and MPI-CEC to integrate the TES with a dilution refrigerator and experimental station of the beamline. I directly handled the assembly of these advanced instruments, ensuring electronic connections, addressing mechanical and electrical noise to make the spectrometer usable. This experience helped me realize the importance of technical details in science, as even minor flaws in tightening a screw or handling a sensitive component could cost significant resources and months of effort. In the end, the spectrometer achieved a count rate 100 times higher than a commercial RIXS detector and roughly 10 times better than a previous TES setup at the synchrotron at Stanford. Additionally, I developed Python functions to streamline data processing and visualization, reducing beamline operation complexities for future users. Through this multi-organizational project, I gained a deeper appreciation for scientific collaboration and significantly enhanced my teamwork skills by actively engaging with experts from diverse fields to drive the project toward success.
Building on the synchrotron experience at BESSY II, I joined the one-month summer school in X-ray and Neutron Science organized by ILL and ESRF in September 2024. During the lecture program, a case study on simultaneous X-ray and neutron imaging of lithium-ion batteries revealed internal lithium distribution and structural changes during operation, inspiring me to employ large-scale facilities for future battery research work. For my project, I worked at the microtomography beamline ID19 - ESRF under the supervision of Dr. Daniel Foster to image different wood species. With only one beamtime day near the end of the project, I prepared rigorously by studying the concept of tomography, backprojection reconstruction, Paganin's phase retrieval algorithm, and wood microstructures to optimize working efficiency. On beamtime day, an unexpected power outage disrupted the schedule, forcing me to reprioritize and adapt the imaging plan for critical data collection. Although my supervisor was also sick on that day, thanks to my regular involvement in other beamtime sessions, I took the lead in controlling the beamline and successfully conducted the overnight experiment. Then, I reconstructed the 3D information from all samples and automated segmentation with Python to extract quantitative information on wood microstructures such as rays, lumens, and vessels. This work serves as a basis for future in situ compression tests, and we plan to share the data in open databases such as The Wood Database and Inside Wood. This experience with synchrotron techniques and exposure to multidisciplinary research through discussions with daily users at the ESRF inspires me to apply large-scale facility methods and creative problem-solving approaches to future energy materials research.
The MSc Program in Applied Physics - Physics for Energy track at TU Delft perfectly aligns with my passion, physics background, and interest in contributing to battery materials research. Traditional physics programs often lack training in energy materials, making it difficult to gain practical experience in this field when the priority is given to students with more coherent training. This program resolves my concerns by offering a rigorous physics approach integrating multiple aspects of energy research. I am particularly drawn to the course AP3332, "Physics of Energy Materials", where I can explore the underlying physics of various energy materials systems and advanced characterization methods to study them, especially large-scale facilities techniques. With my experiences at BESSY II and ESRF, I am eager to apply my knowledge to energy materials and batteries to use these techniques to design experiments and achieve meaningful results for my future scientific career. Furthermore, TU Delft's strong research environment aligns with my goal of gaining hands-on research experience through cutting-edge projects alongside my studies. I am particularly interested in the Storage of Electrochemical Energy (SEE) group and their work on solid-state batteries. The use of a large spectrum of advanced techniques to study battery morphology and structural changes during operation fascinates me. Moreover, TU Delft's collaborative spirit stands out as its involvement in the BatteryNL project reflects a commitment to advancing scientific knowledge and making a societal impact. I am excited to connect with Dutch battery institutes like TNO and Holst Centre and startups like LeydenJar and LionVolt through this initiative, building a network and gaining practical experience to prepare for an impactful career in the future.
For my hypothetical thesis project, I want to work with the SEE group, utilizing operando techniques to address interface challenges in sulfide-based solid-state batteries (SSBs). SSBs are promising due to their improved safety and energy density compared to liquid electrolyte lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). However, poor interfacial contact and instability at the solid electrolyte-electrode interface remain major obstacles to commercialization. Sulfide-based solid electrolytes offer great potential for SSBs due to their mechanical softness and high ionic conductivity. However, their degradation during cycling remains a challenge - the area I aim to investigate for the thesis project. Using advanced in-situ techniques like TEM, XRD, and electrochemical cycling tests, I plan to gain real-time insights into interfacial phenomena during operation, such as solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) formation, decomposition, and contact loss. I also want to explore how applied pressure during the cold-pressing stage, which enhances electrode-solid electrolyte contact, affects battery performance and stability. Furthermore, given enough time and plans, synchrotron-based methods like XAS for analyzing redox behavior or nanotomography for a 3D view of interfacial processes at the atomic scale can be used to provide deeper insights to guide improvements in the future design of sulfide-based SSBs.
My bachelor's final project will start next semester. I will work under the supervision of Prof. Florian Bahnhart at the IPCMS to characterize metallic nanoparticles using transmission electron microscopy (TEM). This project will provide me with hands-on experience in sample preparation, TEM imaging, electron diffraction, elemental mapping, and data analysis, which complements my theoretical understanding of TEM through an online course by EPFL. This will also prepare me well for my interest in future work in the SEE group, where in situ TEM is widely used to study the electrochemical behavior of battery materials. The final project will span one day per week throughout the semester, earning 3 ECTS credits, resulting in a written report and an oral presentation.
I am determined to pursue a research career in physics for energy materials in the academic environment or industrial labs. Studying at TU Delft would provide me with the necessary knowledge and practical experience and expand my network to facilitate PhD or industrial opportunities. If given the chance, I would work extremely hard to develop myself and contribute to TU Delft's research excellence and social impact.