#FaradayPathways Chantal Baer

From participating in chemistry competitions in high school to her current role as a PhD researcher in battery system modelling at the University of Warwick, Chantal’s path to becoming a battery scientist has been one of exploration, curiosity and determination. She highlights the value of embracing interdisciplinary collaboration and emphasises the importance of mentorship and establishing a strong support network.

Early education

Growing up in Germany, Chantal enjoyed exploring the outdoors, discovering new plants and learning about wildlife.

“When I was around 8 or 9 I loved nature but didn’t fully understand what being a scientist meant – my image of it was just discovering new species!

“My passion for science really started to develop at 15. I had a conversation with my dad about Schrödinger’s cat, which led to me wanting (and failing) to understand quantum physics. That’s when I realised how fascinating I found chemistry, physics and maths, not just plants and animals.”

Chantal pursued these subjects with enthusiasm, participating in competitions such as the International Chemistry Olympiad. By the end of her school years, Chantal was certain that her future lay in the field of chemistry.

Undergraduate years and a FUSE internship with the Faraday Institution

Choosing where to pursue higher education was a significant decision for Chantal and was influenced by her awareness of the international environment of research and academia.

“Science is international and collaborative, with English as the main language, so it made sense for me to study in English from the start. I attended a language summer school in the UK during high school and loved it, so I felt more comfortable choosing to study abroad for university.”

Chantal decided to pursue an integrated master’s degree in chemistry at Loughborough University, attracted by its strong chemistry department and positive student reviews. There, she honed in on her research interests and was first exposed to battery research.

“I gravitated towards inorganic chemistry at university, developing an interest in crystal structures and energy-related topics. This led me to complete a literature review comparing lithium-ion batteries and fuel cells for my third-year project. That project solidified my interest in chemistry and sustainability, steering me towards battery science.”

The summer before Chantal’s final year of undergraduate studies coincided with the COVID-19 pandemic, which made her attempts to secure a traditional internship difficult. However, an online Faraday Institution Summer Experience (FUSE ) internship provided a valuable alternative.

“I secured a FUSE internship focusing on techno-economic analysis of the extraction and processing of lithium and sodium materials for batteries. It involved a lot of coding, which was a great learning experience and furthered my interest in computational chemistry. It also gave me a taste of what doing a PhD might be like. I would recommend the internship programme to anyone.”

The PhD experience and support networks

Chantal is currently in the second year of her PhD at an EPSRC funded Centre for Doctoral Training (CDT) at the University of Warwick focusing on computational modelling of heterogeneous systems (HetSys). Her work is crucial for developing safer, more efficient solid-state batteries, which may offer higher energy density and longer lifespans compared to traditional batteries. While the computational approach allows for detailed insights into mechanisms that are challenging to study experimentally, the journey has not been easy.

“The CDT has most of its training in the beginning of the PhD, so the first year felt more like a second master’s degree, which was really challenging but I learned a lot. I’m now at the end of my second year and found the switch to the actual PhD project required a lot of adjustment. Things often move a lot slower during the PhD than you anticipate, and I also found being in charge of my own work and making the decision about what I do day-to-day is quite a different experience to an undergraduate or master’s degree.”

Growth with the Faraday Institution and the CDT at the University of Warwick

Being part of the Faraday Institution’s PhD enrichment scheme and the Centre for Doctoral Training at Warwick has been instrumental in Chantal’s development.

“I have completed the first year of the Faraday Institution’s PhD enrichment scheme, which was mainly battery focused and provided a deeper appreciation for both the experimental and industrial sides of battery research. The next year focuses more on personal skill development, with sessions such as negotiation training and project management which will be useful for any career path I choose.”

The CDT at Warwick also offers support, professional development opportunities and the opportunity to be part of a close-knit research cohort. Chantal highlights the value of being part of a CDT due to the diversity of researchers from various backgrounds.

“The CDT has a real mix of students from different backgrounds. It has been challenging but so valuable in learning various modelling techniques. My background in maths wasn’t strong, which made the training harder. Having other people around me with various strengths was so helpful.”

Chantal credits the complimentary roles of the CDT and the Faraday Institution with much of her growth as a researcher, particularly regarding the support networks they provide.

“The CDT focuses on teaching key modelling techniques, while the Faraday training has highlighted the bigger battery picture and provided more general skills.

“The connections I’ve made through the CDT and Faraday Institution might be more valuable than the training itself. I’ve met so many people in my field. I’m so grateful to be part of these programmes because of the support they provide.”

The role of mentorship

Mentorship has been crucial to Chantal, providing guidance and support from her early interest in physics, sparked by her father, to her academic mentors.

“I’ve been fortunate to have mentors who encouraged me to ask questions, explore new ideas, and be unafraid of making mistakes. Both my bachelor’s and master’s project supervisors, Sandie Dann and Pooja Goddard, have had a big impact on my career academically and personally and are important role models to me. Being part of the CDT means that besides my wonderful supervisors, Łukasz Figiel and Bora Karasulu, there are a lot of other academics I can go to for help, including James Kermode, the director of the HetSys CDT and Albert Bartok-Partay. They have been wonderful and have really helped me navigate the complexities of research.

“Having mentors who believe in you, especially when you’re doubting yourself, can make a huge difference.”

Appreciating the value of mentorship, Chantal actively seeks opportunities to mentor others, and has peer mentored both during her undergraduate years and her PhD where she mentors incoming HetSys PhD students.

“Mentorship is a two-way street: I learn as much from my mentees as they learn from me. It’s so rewarding to see someone grow and succeed and know that you played a part in their journey.”

Advice and aspirations

Chantal stresses the importance of perseverance during challenging times and highlights the value of interdisciplinary collaboration and support networks.

“Research can be challenging, not everything will go as planned. Learn from setbacks, keep moving forward, but don’t be afraid to lean on others.

“Working with people from different fields can open your eyes to new ways of thinking. It’s good to have a diverse network of people around you that you can rely on and solve problems with.”

Reflecting on her journey, Chantal’s advice to early career researchers emphasises that science is about exploration.

“Stay curious, be open to new experiences. Don’t be afraid to venture outside your comfort zone. Sometimes, the most unexpected paths lead to the most rewarding discoveries.”

Read more:

• Discover The Faraday Institution’s PhD Enrichment Programme
• Explore the FUSE internship programme
• Read Chantal’s paper on fundamentals of inorganic solid-state electrolytes for batteries
• Read Chantal’s paper on understanding the anion disorder governing lithium distribution and diffusion in an argyrodite Li6PS5Cl solid-electrolyte

Faraday Pathway written by Rebecca Dawes, Science Communications Intern, and published September 2024.