Jake Christensen, Ph.D.

Please tell us what fascinates you most about research.
Research is about changing the reality of the world in which we live. It’s about making the unfathomable comprehensible, and making the impossible possible. It is about embarking on an opportunity to fail, repeatedly, while discovering truth along the way. And, with persistence and luck, it yields remarkable results.

What makes the research done at Bosch so special?
Research at Bosch can be very fundamental, but at the same time disciplined. What can I make out of this discovery that will help humankind? What tangible product or service will millions or billions of people use every day? These are the questions that direct our efforts.

What research topics are you currently working on at Bosch?
Among other things, my team is currently developing physics-based models and battery management systems for improving battery lifetime, safety, and charging rates in vehicles and consumer goods; discovering what limits lifetime and performance in fuel cells; and inventing electrochemical water purification devices. I’m fortunate to be working alongside dozens of exceptionally bright and creative individuals.

What are the biggest scientific challenges in your field of research?
Batteries, fuel cells, and other electrochemical devices are remarkably complex materials systems with phenomena occurring on a wide range of lengths and timescales. There is an inherent tension between the critical objectives of performance, lifetime, size, and cost for each technology. Typically, not one, but dozens of challenges need to be solved to create a competitive product.

How do the results of your research become part of solutions “Invented for life”?
Not only do we need to ensure that our products are durable (often at least a 15-year service life), we ultimately want to improve the lives of our customers, too. That means getting people where they need to be and doing what they need to do without compromising the global environment for future generations. Vehicle electrification plays a significant role.