Karla Negrete defended her doctoral dissertation in mechanical engineering at Drexel University in Philadelphia in August 2025. Her dissertation focused on the development of electrochemical fluorescence microscopy, an optical technique used to characterize the electronic accessibility of battery electrodes. By combining fluorescence imaging, electrochemical characterization, and predictive modeling, her research enabled rapid assessment of electrode quality prior to the full assembly of battery cells—a time-consuming and costly process. This approach provided new insights into the relationship between electrode properties and their electrochemical performance.
Following her Ph.D., Karla Negrete joined the Laboratory of Chemistry of Materials and Energy (CSE) at the Collège de France as a postdoctoral researcher. Led by Prof. Jean-Marie Tarascon , the CSE laboratory studies materials and processes related to energy storage and electrocatalysis. Her current research focuses on developing approaches that combine optical detection and data analysis to diagnose and predict battery aging. In collaboration with industrial partners, she uses measurements taken during the early stages of a cell’s life—including formation and aging—to identify degradation mechanisms and predict long-term performance.
Her work combines operando characterization, electrochemical analyses, and predictive modeling to develop practical tools for battery evaluation and manufacturing. By linking signatures measured early in a battery’s life to long-term performance, her research aims to contribute to more efficient battery production and improved cell quality.
Karla Negrete is the recipient of the 2026 Hugot Foundation Award from the Collège de France , nominated by Prof. Jean-Marie Tarascon, holder of the Chair in Chemistry of Materials and Energy .
