Materials Scientist Focused on Next‑Generation Energy Storage Systems
Digital CV
Materials Scientist | Research Affiliate, SSRL & SLAC | Battery Materials Consultant
I am a materials scientist affiliated with the Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Lightsource (SSRL) and the SLAC-Stanford Battery Center, where I collaborate with the Weker Group on advanced characterization of battery materials. My research focuses on understanding degradation mechanisms and interphase chemistry in next-generation batteries through a combination of synchrotron techniques, mass spectrometry, and electrochemical diagnostics.
Beyond academia, I advise industry partners on battery materials characterization, failure analysis, and technology development. My consulting work includes applications of LALI-TOF-MS for battery materials and interfaces, advanced analytical workflows, and data-driven research solutions. I enjoy connecting cutting-edge characterization techniques with real-world R&D challenges to accelerate innovation in energy storage.
Interested in a consultation or collaboration? Schedule a brief introductory meeting through my cal.com page.
650-417-1610
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Education & Experience
My Education
Ph.D. in Material Science
Institute of Physics, Benemérita Universidad Autónoma de Puebla, Puebla, Mexico.
Thesis: Effect of pre-conditioning of Si anodes by sodiation in their performance in Li ion batteries.
Thesis Director: Dr. Enrique Quiroga González
M.Sc. in Material Science
Institute of Physics, Benemérita Universidad Autónoma de Puebla, Puebla, Mexico.
B.E. Energy Engineering
Universidad Politécnica de Chiapas, Suchiapa, Chiapas, Mexico.
My Experience
SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory
Postdoctoral Scholar
Directed multi-modal synchrotron and mass spectrometry studies of Li-metal batteries under extreme fast charging, integrating operando/ex-situ diagnostics, cell prototyping, and national lab collaborations to advance DOE-funded efforts on low-cost, high-energy EV technologies.
IIM - UNAM
Postdoctoral Scientist
Developed and characterized NaMO (M = Fe, Mn) ceramics for gas adsorption, catalytic oxidation, and electrochemical energy storage, integrating structural analysis and multifunctional performance.
Communication
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Featured by Volta Foundation in their Battery Bits series, discussing µXRF and LALI-TOF-MS, multimodal characterization, and high-throughput workflows for battery materials diagnostics.
Technical Skills and expertise
Analytical & Surface Characterization: SEM, AFM, TEM, XPS, Cryo-EM, LALI-TOF-MS (EXUM Massbox), STXM-ptychography, 3D microstructural reconstructions, non-destructive evaluation (NDE).
Synchrotron & X-ray Methods: Operando & ex-situ XAS (TXM, XRD, μ-XRF, μ-XAS), X-ray computed tomography, advanced synchrotron data analysis.
Electrochemistry & Testing: Cyclic Voltammetry (CV), Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy(EIS / DRT analysis), galvanostatic cycling, rate capability, formation protocols, battery cell assembly (coin, pouch, Swagelok).
Battery Chemistries & Materials: Li-metal, Silicon anodes, Ni-rich cathodes (LiNiO₂, NMC811), Na-ion systems, solid-electrolyte interphase (SEI/CEI) stability, ceramic materials synthesis, catalysis, gas adsorption processes.
Computation&Data Automation: Python (NumPy, SciPy, Matplotlib, Imfit), MATLAB, custom spectral fitting, automated data acquisition pipelines, multidimensional dataset visualization.
Research
Pallavi Thakur, Erick Espinosa-Villatoro, Mayuresh Savargaonkar, Aashray Narla, Pete Barnes, Johanna Nelson Weker, Eric J. Dufek, Bor-Rong Chen, Heterogeneity Propagation and Surface Homogenization for Pouch-cell Sized Li Metal Anodes (2026), Accepted at Cell Reports Physical Science Journal - DOI:
Erick Espinosa-Villatoro, Otavio Marques, Zehao Cui, Penny Hyde, Zhilin Liang, Molleigh B. Preefer, Kevin Stone, Arumugam Manthiram, Johanna Nelson Weker, Disentangling the Role of Al, Co, and Mn Dopants in LiNiO₂ Cathodes via Synchrotron-Based Probes, Journal of Material Chemistry A (2026) - DOI: https://doi.org/10.1039/D6TA02574A
Erick Espinosa-Villatoro, Sofia Barba, Ángel M. Gómez-Coronel, Johanna Nelson Weker, Edgar G. Villabona-Leal, Eduardo Ramos-Díaz, Joazeth Hiram Ojeda-Galván, Maritza I. Pérez, Javier Alanis Pérez, Crystalline Structure-Dependent Performance of Sodium Titanates as Anodes for Li-ion Batteries (2026), Journal of Electroanalytical Chemistry - DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jelechem.2026.120266
Erick Espinosa-Villatoro, Daniel González-Araiza, Heriberto Pfeiffer Perea, Exploring the Capture and Catalytic Properties of Sodium Manganates: Bifunctional Ceramics for CO/CO₂ chemisorption and Oxidation, Journal of Environmental Management (2026) - DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2026.129026
V. Aca-López, E. Espinosa-Villatoro, J. D. Garay Marín, O. Pérez Díaz, E. Quiroga-González (2025), "Sustentabilidad Energética con Tecnologías de Almacenamiento Electroquímico" (pp. 135-161), Sustentabilidad Energética, Medioambiente y Sociedad: Avances en la Agenda 2030. El Colegio de Chihuahua (CICESE). ISBN: 978-607-8214-82-2. Link: Sustentabilidad Energética, Medioambiente y Sociedad.
Erick Espinosa-Villatoro, Johanna Nelson Weker, Jesse S. Ko, Enrique Quiroga-González,Tracking the Evolution of Processes Occurring in Silicon Anodes in Lithium-ion Batteries by 3D Visualization of Relaxation Times, Journal of Electroanalytical Chemistry (2021) - DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jelechem.2021.115309
Materials
Li metal Anodes
Silicon Anodes
Ni-rich Cathodes
Na-ion Batteries
Li-ion Batteries
Li-S Batteries
Collaboration
National Labs
UT Austin - Manthiram Lab
EXUM Instruments
UNAM - Mexico
BUAP - Mexico
ITESM - Mexico
UPSLP - Mexico