Edwin Kpodzro

Edwin KpodzroDepartment: Mechanical Engineering + Ecological Sciences and Engineering

Title: PhD Student

Research description: Using innovation science, discovery-driven planning, and emergent strategy to evaluate technology-focused ventures in complex ecosystems.

Research highlights:

  • Development of an economic recovery strategy for critical materials in end-of-life electric vehicle Li-ion batteries
  • Strategic assessment and design of a community-based agri-business venture

Keywords

Engineering design, Innovation Science, Sustainable energy, Business model innovation, Socio-technical systems, Grand challenges, Interdisciplinary design

Publications 

  • Deng, S., Kpodzro, E., Maani, T., Li, Z., Huang, A., Yih, Y., ... & Sutherland, J. W. (2022). Planning a circular economy system for electric vehicles using network simulation. Journal of Manufacturing Systems, 63, 95-106.
  • Ji, Y., Kpodzro, E. E., Jafvert, C. T., & Zhao, F. (2021). Direct recycling technologies of cathode in spent lithium-ion batteries. Clean Technologies and Recycling, 1(2), 124-151.
  • Li, L., Yin, F., Kpodzro, E., Wang, C., & Yan, J. (2019). Energy consumption analysis of automatic tool change processes. Procedia CIRP, 80, 62-66.

Biography

Edwin is a Ph.D. student in the School of Mechanical Engineering with a Design area focus and a member of the Ecological Sciences and Engineering Interdisciplinary Graduate Program; he is also pursuing the Interdisciplinary Graduate Concentration in Transformational Innovation and Design at Purdue University. He earned his B.S. in Engineering (Mechanical concentration, Honors) from Calvin University and an M.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Purdue University. He is co-advised by Dr. Joe Sinfield in the Innovation Science Lab (Civil Engineering) and Dr. Fu Zhao in Mechanical Engineering.

Edwin’s motivation is to see academic research translated into impactful real-world solutions through holistic design for complex socio-technical challenges. His research work is at the intersection of business, policy, innovation, and technology. He has been recognized for his work by Bayer Crop Science as one of the 100 youth leaders and agricultural change-makers at the 2021 Youth Ag Summit (YAS).

Past projects have involved the creation of an economic recovery strategy for critical materials in end-of-life electric vehicle Li-ion batteries, in conjunction with the U.S. Department of Energy and multiple academic and industry partners.

Edwin also works as a Graduate Research Assistant in Purdue’s Global Engineering Programs and Partnerships (GEPP) office.