Nicole Llewellyn

  • Nicole Llewellyn
  • CHEMICAL & BIOLOGICAL ENGINEERING

Research Bio

Nicole joined the Electrobuffs in Fall 2023; she is also co-advised by Michael Toney. Her current research involves investigating the solid-electrolyte interphase (SEI) in sodium-ion batteries. This thin passivation layer forms on the anode and is necessary for preventing continuous electrolyte degradation during cycling. She primarily uses operando, synchrotron-based X-ray techniques to determine the growth mechanism of the SEI, and uses complementary techniques, such as XPS and AFM, to gain compositional and topographical information.

Outside of the lab, Nicole loves traveling, baking, hiking, and photography! She is also passionate about providing underrepresented K-12 students the opportunity to explore STEM through hands-on activities! Additionally, Nicole is interested in energy justice and applying this framework to her own research to ensure accessibility and affordability of clean energy.

Education

  • M.S. in Materials Science and Engineering, University of Colorado Boulder, 2025
  • Post-Bacc (Bridge to the PhD Program in STEM), Columbia University, 2023
  • B.S. in Chemical Engineering and Neuroscience, Syracuse University, 2021

Awards

  • Max S. Peters Fellowship (2023)
  • National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship (2023)
  • Columbia University Bridge Scholar (2021)

Selected Publications