Abstract: General Motors is driving towards a world with Zero Crashes, Zero Emissions and Zero Congestion. That world depends on autonomous, electrified, and connected vehicles to become a reality. As the industrial research center of the company, General Motors R&D is the tip of the spear for inventing, researching, developing, and commercializing advanced technology for future GM vehicles found in brands including Chevrolet, Buick, GMC, and Cadillac. After starting off with an overview of General Motors, this talk will move on to focus on GM R&D covering our mission, what type of research problems we explore, what a possible career trajectory for an industrial researcher looks like, how GM R&D is organized, some examples of projects, a handful of interview tips, and links to some of the current roles we are looking to fill.
Bio: Erik Huemiller is a Researcher at General Motors R&D in the Manufacturing Systems Research lab working on Battery Cell Manufacturing. His current research focus is on making current and future batteries better, faster, cheaper, and safer with automotive customers in mind. In his current role he conducts original research, initiates collaborations with academic researchers, coordinates work with external suppliers, and serves as a lab safety rep maintaining a safe working environment. His results are documented in publications, presentations, trade method secrets and through patents. Before working at GM, Erik held research and business roles at Inprentus Inc. developing and commercializing mechanically ruled diffraction gratings for x-ray research facilities and other customers. Erik graduated with a PhD in Condensed Matter Physics from the University of Illinois in 2019, having worked in Dale Van Harlingen’s group.
This seminar will be presented virtually. Anyone interested in seeing the seminar remotely via Zoom should contact Lance Cooper at slcooper@illinois.edu.
