ABOUT
Widi Kurniawati was born and raised in East Java, Indonesia. Her academic journey has been marked by a consistent passion for chemistry and sustainability, excelling in her studies and securing numerous awards for her achievements.
Widi completed her bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Universitas Gadjah Mada, Indonesia, during the time when she also was part of an Erasmus+ exchange to the School of Metallurgy and Materials, at the University of Birmingham. Her undergraduate thesis, which focused on the green synthesis of graphene from plastic waste, laid the foundation for her interest in energy storage and sustainable technologies. She later pursued a highly competitive Erasmus Mundus Joint Master’s degree in Materials for Energy Storage and Conversion, studying across leading European universities in Poland, France, and Spain.
Her professional path has been equally diverse and impactful. From her research internships at the National Institute of Chemistry in Slovenia, where she worked on lithium-ion battery technologies, to her master’s thesis project at Umicore in Belgium, Widi has proven her ability to contribute with valuable insights into cutting-edge energy storage solutions, specifically in all-solid-state batteries. Now, as a PhD candidate at the University of Bordeaux and Deakin University she is advancing her research on stable High energy Metal-ion batteries developed with gel electrolytes, aiming to make significant breakthroughs in the field.
Beyond her research, Widi has demonstrated a commitment to entrepreneurship and community empowerment. She is active in Overseas Indonesian Students’ Association Alliance (OISAA) as the head of Technology and Industry field in Strategic Studies Directorate, she is aiming to maximize her knowledge and connections to build strong impact in the field.
Outside the laboratory, Widi is passionate about mentoring young students and exploring innovations that contribute to a greener, more sustainable future. She is also engaging herself in e-waste management sector in Indonesia, where she can not only develop energy storage technologies, but also explore how to recycle them.
Interests
Widi’s academic interests are related to all-solid-state batteries, quasi-solid-state batteries, Li-ion and Na-ion technologies, Organic Ionic Plastic Crystals (OIPCs), battery interface optimization, novel cathode materials and green synthesis.
Outside the academia her interests include travelling, arts and crafts, sustainability and recycling matters, mentoring, and being active in Student Associations.