Dr. Maxime Van Der Heijden

Biography

Maxime van der Heijden is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Chemical Engineering at the University of Waterloo. His research focuses on developing a framework for the advanced manufacturing of porous microstructures in electrochemical devices, including water electrolyzers and flow batteries, to enhance the implementation of technologies in the energy industry. His work bridges the gap between experimental and computational approaches, combining imaging techniques, machine learning, device testing, and additive manufacturing. The research group he leads encompasses connected topics such as multiphase mass transport in porous materials, the design of porous materials using computational strategies, and manufacturing improved porous material designs with precise control over their structural properties. Prior to his appointment, Maxime completed his PhD, where he engineered porous materials for redox flow batteries, integrating modeling techniques, imaging diagnostics, and advanced manufacturing into his work. He developed additive manufacturing methods for creating porous electrodes for electrochemical devices. Maxime's commitment to education is reflected in his teaching of Chemical Engineering courses.

Research Interests