Jason Siegel’s Path from a Family Garage to Cutting-Edge Battery Research

Jason Siegel’s passion for mechanics was sparked early, not in a lab or classroom, but in the garage with his father. Growing up, Jason spent countless hours learning to fix engines and machinery from his father, an auto mechanic turned tool salesman. This hands-on exposure to tools and cars shaped his curiosity and ignited a fascination with how things work – skills that would lay the foundation for his future career in advanced battery systems and control research.

Siegel’s journey from fixing computers, printers, and lawnmowers in junior high to pioneering lithium-ion battery modeling for electric vehicles (EVs) and renewable energy storage systems has been marked by an eagerness to learn and a knack for solving tough problems. Now, as a research professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Michigan, Siegel has established himself as a key figure in EV battery technology, contributing to the advancement of battery health estimation and thermal management techniques critical to the clean energy transition.

An Unconventional Start

Siegel’s path to battery research was anything but linear. He first came to the University of Michigan with an interest in electrical engineering and control systems, which he applied to automotive systems and combustion engines. But like many research journeys, unexpected opportunities shaped his direction. While completing his undergraduate degree, a chance encounter with a professor who needed help teaching digital signal processing opened the door to graduate school – something Siegel hadn’t planned on.

“I didn’t have grad school in mind at all, but teaching sparked my interest in diving deeper,” Siegel recalls. He went on to earn his master’s and eventually found himself immersed in hydrogen fuel cell research during his PhD work. Just as he was completing his dissertation, however, the landscape of federal funding shifted dramatically, steering him and the entire automotive industry away from fuel cells and toward battery technology.

Pivoting to Battery Innovation

With the abrupt shift in focus from fuel cells to batteries, Siegel didn’t miss a beat. He leveraged the imaging techniques he developed for fuel cells and applied them to lithium-ion batteries. Using the neutron imaging facility at NIST– originally designed to measure water distribution in hydrogen fuel cells – he began studying the spatial distribution of lithium within battery electrodes. This innovative approach led to breakthroughs in validating battery models, a vital aspect of advancing battery management systems (BMS).

“We developed models that could predict temperature and state of health within batteries. At one point, a student of mine even convinced me that we could drill into a battery to place temperature sensors inside without compromising the cell,” Siegel explains. The result? They successfully measured internal battery temperatures and developed models that came within half a degree of accuracy – a significant achievement in the world of battery diagnostics.

His work in these areas culminated in an advanced BMS that won a prestigious IEEE controls systems technology award in 2016, further solidifying his reputation in the field. Yet, despite the accolades, Siegel remains humble, always quick to credit the teamwork and collaboration that drove these projects forward.

Research with Real-World Impact

Siegel’s research is not just theoretical – it has practical applications for the automotive industry and beyond. With a focus on battery health estimation, thermal management, and predictive modeling, his work addresses key challenges for the future of electric vehicles. One area he’s particularly excited about is the reuse and second-life applications of EV batteries.

“When a battery no longer meets the power requirements for a vehicle, that doesn’t mean it’s done,” Siegel explains. “It may still be useful for energy-based applications, like grid storage. Understanding how to evaluate and extend the life of these batteries is crucial for the sustainability of the EV ecosystem, but only if it can be achieved safely.”

His research plays a critical role in informing decisions about whether to repurpose or recycle used batteries – a key question as the world moves toward more renewable energy solutions.

Hands-On Learning and Mentoring the Next Generation

While Siegel’s research continues to push boundaries, he’s also dedicated to teaching and mentoring the next generation of engineers. For nearly seven years, he has taught a graduate-level course in battery systems and control at the University of Michigan. What makes his course stand out is the real-world context he brings to the classroom.

“I incorporate homework problems inspired by the challenges we face in industry. It’s important for students to learn from actual problems, not just theory,” he says. Siegel also encourages his students to critically assess published research, understanding that not all studies are created equal. “We do a project where students replicate and extend a published study. It’s a hands-on way for them to learn the importance of reproducibility in research.”

From the Workshop to the Lab: A Life of Building

When he’s not in the lab, Siegel can often be found in his garage, working on vintage cars – one of his greatest passions. His latest project, a 1988 Porsche 911 EV conversion offers a personal connection to his childhood dream car. With his father he spent years bringing the car back to life, much like they did with another family treasure, a 1968 Jaguar E-type. The Jaguar, now fitted with a custom-built fuel injection system, is a testament to Siegel’s engineering prowess and love for vintage vehicles.

“It’s been a great way to stay connected with my dad and keep my hands-on skills sharp,” he says. And while his children haven’t yet shown the same enthusiasm for car restoration, Siegel remains hopeful that they’ll pick up an interest in mechanics as they grow older. In the meantime, Jason’s family enjoys the outdoors, including hiking, biking, and fishing.”

Looking Ahead

As Siegel looks to the future, both in his personal projects and professional career, his focus remains on staying at the cutting edge of battery technology while nurturing the next generation of innovators. “The more I learn, the more I realize how much there is to discover,” he reflects. “That’s what keeps me excited about what I do.”

For Siegel, it’s not just about solving the technical problems of today – it’s about preparing the world for the challenges of tomorrow, from sustainable energy solutions to training a skilled workforce that will keep Michigan at the forefront of the electric vehicle revolution.