Jeff Dahn

Jeff Dahn is a Professor of Physics and Chemistry at Dalhousie University, Canada, and a world-leading researcher in lithium-ion battery technology. He pioneered the development of lithium-ion batteries now used globally in electronics and electric vehicles. His work focuses on improving energy density, safety, and longevity of batteries through advanced materials and diagnostics. He holds the NSERC/Tesla Canada Industrial Research Chair and the Canada Research Chair in Materials for Advanced Batteries.

Education:

• B.Sc. (Physics), Dalhousie University (1978)
• M.Sc. (Physics), University of British Columbia (1980)
• Ph.D. (Physics), University of British Columbia (1982)

Research Interests:

Development of high-performance Li-ion cathode/anode materials

Electrolyte additives and failure mechanisms

Battery safety and diagnostics (e.g., High Precision Coulometry)

Advances in Na-ion batteries and sustainable energy storage

Publications & Awards:

• Over 820 refereed papers and 78 patents
• Recipient of Gerhard Herzberg Gold Medal (2017), Killam Prize (2022), and Olin Palladium Medal (2023)
• Launched spinoff companies like DPM Solutions and Novonix

Advising & Impact:

• Trained over 65 Ph.D. students and 30 postdocs, many now leading roles in academia and industry
• Led battery research collaborations with Tesla and other industry partners

Labs & Teams:

Largest university battery lab globally, with advanced equipment for material synthesis and battery testing

Focus areas: Electrode materials, electrolyte engineering, and lifetime prediction models