We met Pro Jeong-eun Choi, a battery material developer at SAMSUNG SDI, who graduated with a degree in Chemical and Biological Engineering. Her major integrates chemical engineering and biotechnology, covering fundamental chemistry, chemical engineering, biotechnology, and environment science. Let’s delve into her story as she pursues her goal of becoming a top battery materials developer.

Q. Please briefly introduce yourself.

#Developing materials to enhance battery performance 

Hello, I’m Jeong-eun Choi, working at EM) Battery Material Group. Our group is responsible for developing and mass-producing various materials used in batteries. We are involved in the entire process, from selecting raw materials and verifying to analyzing materials and conducting tests at pilot and mass production lines. My role focuses on securing optimal mass production conditions, analyzing material properties related to battery performance, and developing materials that improve battery efficiency. 

[Pro Jeong-eun Choi is in charge of the development of battery materials]

Q. What do you find appealing about Chemical and Biological Engineering?

# A major that contributes to industries directly linked to our daily lives

Chemical and Biological Engineering encompasses various engineering-based disciplines and process technologies. The greatest appeal of this major is its ability to contribute to crucial industries closely related to our daily lives, such as batteries, petrochemicals, and polymers. 

Q. What research did you conduct during your degree? How did it influence your career choice?

# Experience in synthesizing high-performance materials

During my studies, I conducted research on improving battery performance using inorganic and organic materials. Through this, I successfully synthesized materials that outperformed commercial electrodes. I wanted to contribute my experience and idea to the development of materials needed in the industry, so I applied for this battery materials development role. I look forward to the future where I see the materials I develop enhance the performance of products produced in the real world. 

[Pro Jeong-eun Choi reviews the research analysis results]

Q. Did you have any experiences before joining that directly helped in your job? 

# Seminar activities to improve communication skills

I believe strong communication skills are essential in this job, as creating a product requires numerous components and dozens of processes. 

A key experience that helped me build these skills was participating in seminars during my master’s program. I gave monthly presentation on my research, explaining it in a way that even those unfamiliar with batteries could understand. This improved my presentation skills and taught me how to communicate with experts from various fields. Thanks to this experience, I can now collaborate smoothly with engineers across different domains in the company. 

Q. What has been the most rewarding moment in your job? 

# Seeing a small-scale research project progress to pilot and mass production

One of the most fulfilling moments was seeing materials initially developed on a small scale in the lab progress through the production line and eventually be delivered to customers. When I joined in early 2022, I was working on small-scale material synthesis. Now, we have completed the pilot and mass production and are supplying materials to customers. I feel proud to share these achievements with my colleagues, and we will continue striving for even greater results.

Q. Did you face any challenges when adapting to your role? How did you overcome them?

# Persistent meetings to make myself familiar with unfamiliar equipment

At the company, I had to use various analytical instruments that I had never encountered in school. At first, I struggled to interpret analysis results because I was not familiar with the equipment. To overcome this, I had multiple meetings with equipment specialists and personally reached out to learn from them. Everyone was so enthusiastic to help me out, which allowed me to gain both the knowledge and good energy. Now, I’ve grown to the point where I can teach new employees how to use these equipment.

[Pro Jeong-eun Choi conducts battery material development research at the lab]

Q. Compared to when you first joined, in what ways do you feel you’ve grown?

# Answering even detailed process-related inquiries with confident

I feel a sense of growth when I can confidently explain the materials I develop to anyone who asks. Initially, I focused on understanding the overall work process. Now I not only grasp the entire workflow but also comprehend the detailed aspects of each processes. This allows me to handle more tasks efficiently within the same amount of time, giving me a sense of accomplishment. 

Q. How do you envision yourself in SAMSUNG SDI then years from now?

# Becoming a top battery materials developer

I remember saying in my job interview, “I want to contribute to the development of high-capacity, high-efficiency, and fast-charging battery materials!” In ten years, I expect that even safer and higher-performing batteries will be available. My goal is to become a battery expert capable of developing materials that meet these advanced standards. 

[Pro Jeong-eun Choi dreams of becoming the best battery material expert]