A team of students from the University of Michigan – Shanghai Jiao Tong University Joint Institute (UM-SJTU JI, JI hereafter) has clinched the Silver Award at the 2023 China International College Students Innovation Competition National Finals, marking a historical achievement for JI. The winning project, titled “A Novel Sensor Method for Battery Health Status Assessment,” addresses critical safety issues in new energy batteries, contributing significantly to the nation’s energy transition.
Group photo of JI team
Led by project leader Shoulu Gong, a JI Ph.D. candidate majoring in Mechanical Engineering, the team showcased their dedication and innovative spirit throughout the challenging preparatory phase. Despite the daunting challenges faced, the team’s perseverance resulted in not only the enhancement of their scientific research and teamwork skills but also a deeper understanding of societal needs and the ability to drive progress.
“The competition process is not just about winning awards; it’s a transformative journey from 0 to 1, and then from 1 to 100,” remarked Gong Shoulu. “We are not only contributing to technological progress but also making strides towards national development,” said Gong.
The China International College Students Innovation Competition held in Tianjin this year is a premier event acknowledged by the Chinese Higher Education Society. An unprecedented 4.21 million projects from 5,296 schools globally, representing 151 countries and regions, participated in the competition. With an impressive 17.09 million participants, 1,260 exceptional projects advanced to the national finals.
The winning JI project, which introduces a mechanism and method for early warning of battery safety issues, has been recognized as a stable, reliable, and effective solution. The team’s success not only marks a historic achievement for JI but also inspires a call for more students to join the ranks of innovation and entrepreneurship, contributing to the advancement of technology and the prosperity of the nation.
