Lithium-air batteries (Li-air) have a potentially much larger power capacity than any other known battery with a theoretical energy density comparable to that of gasoline. If theory is made practice, Li-air batteries will change the transport sector, as hybrid and electric vehicles becomes more efficient.
The potential is enormous, and research in Li-air batteries has high priority worldwide. Also at DTU Energy Conversion at DTU, Risø Campus, where a research group unexpectedly received help in the form of the 18-year-old high school student Emilia Wodzka from 3 year on the High school of Herlufsholm.
Emilia Wodzka wrote in September 2012 asking for help to investigate membrane systems for purifying air in Li-air batteries.
"This is the first but probably not the last time we help a young researcher with a project," says Professor and head of the DTU Energy Conversion research on Lithium batteries, Tejs Vegge.
"Emilia came with a lot of great ideas, a great drive and a couple of interesting hypotheses. It always helps with fresh input from the outside, and we can even use the results. "
The cooperation between Emilia Wodzka and DTU Energy Conversion led to Emilia winning the nationwide talent competition "Young Scientists" in the category Technology with the project "Quantification of the degree of pollution in Li-air batteries."
"My father always gave me books on astronomy when I was quite young, as he is very interested in physics. This led to me also having a very strong interest in physics and energy, and my father was so proud that he could hardly speak when I won the Young Scientist competition, "says Emilia Wodzka.
Young Researchers had 1,400 participants and Emilia Wodzka tells how she could not have won without the help of DTU Energy Conversion. Her good experience at Risø Campus has also boosted her strong desire to become a researcher, as she thrives in a research environment.
Wants to be a researcher
"It was great to be part of this. Science is so exciting, because the more you put into things, the more interesting it becomes. If they manage to optimize Lithium batteries, electric cars are the future and it’s fantastic, if I as an only 18 year old student can help to make a difference, "says Emilia Wodzka.
Another important aspect of participating in Young Researchers was the opportunity to met other young people, who are just as fascinated by science as herself. Suddenly she was not alone in her interest.
"It is my experience, that most people of my age have not as great a passion for science, as I have. At least not among my friends or people I otherwise meet. My friends find it cool that I won, but it's more because I was on TV. Whereas I during the competition met other young people who talked science with without feeling like a nerd. "
Emilia Wodzka has not choosen her study after High school, mostly because she can’t choose. There is so much knowledge, so much exciting science to discover. Also she has a great interest in languages and movies.
For this reason Emilia Wodzka has decided to avoid choosing right now and instead focus on the preparation for EUCYS, the European Union Contest for Young Scientists, to which she automatically qualified when she won the Danish competition.
Representing Denmark
In August she participates in a training camp with the other Danish winners from the competition three categories to learn how to present a project for a European audience.
"I also have a lot of exams before the summer, but it does not seem so important anymore. When I wake up in the morning, it's my project, I think. Not exams. "
For Emilia Wodzka is not quite finished with his project. Not yet. As a true scientist, she believes that there are still a few extra things that can be done. Several tests that can be made, before she is completely satisfied.
"If someone thinks that I sacrifice my summer vacation on this, they are very wrong. It is something I'm really looking forward to," says Emilia Wodzka, who receives great praise for her commitment from Professor Tejs Vegge:
"It's great to experience to see and experience the spirit and the enthusiasm she brings along. So of course we are open, if another student shows up with an idea for collaboration, although we will be hard pressed to ever find one of Emilias carat again. "