Dr. Damola Martins Ajiboye: Advancing the Frontiers of Battery and Nanomaterials Engineering

By Folalumi Alaran

Dr. Damola Martins Ajiboye is a highly accomplished Nigerian-born engineer and researcher whose pioneering contributions to physics-based battery modelingaerospace engineering, nanomaterials, and advanced energy systems have earned him national distinction and international recognition in the field of applied physicselectrochemical engineering and battery technology.

Born in Ede, Osun State, Nigeria, and raised in Bwari, Abuja, Dr. Ajiboye’s early academic trajectory was marked by distinction. He was part of the inaugural class at Federal Government Boys College, Abuja, where his aptitude for science and engineering was evident. In 2006, he was awarded Nigeria’s prestigious Bilateral Educational Agreement (BEA) scholarship, which enabled him to pursue higher education in Russia—an opportunity reserved for the nation’s top-performing students.

Dr. Ajiboye earned his B.Sc. and M.Sc. degrees in Aerospace Engineering from Samara National Research University, home to one of Russia’s most esteemed aircraft design programs. His rigorous training in aerodynamics and flight systemsaircraft structures laid a foundation for his later research, which spanned continents and disciplines.

Driven by a passion for innovation, Dr. Ajiboye pursued graduate studies in nanomaterials at the University of Missouri. There, he conducted cutting-edge research ion carbon nanotubes—materials with vast potential in electronics, thermal systems, and mechanical applications. His work broke new ground by developing mechanical models that illuminated how growth parameters and nanoscale forces affect nanotube morphology. “The modeling approach we introduced offered a paradigm shift,” Dr. Ajiboye explains. “It allowed us to understand and predict nanotube behavior in ways that were previously unachievable.”

Dr. Ajiboye advanced this research further by joining the Ph.D. program in systems mechanical engineering at Missouri University of Science and Technology. His doctoral work focused on developing physics-based models for lithium-ion batteries and microgrids—a vital contribution to the field of energy storage. These models offered greater accuracy than data-dependent methods, enabling real-time predictions of key battery health parametersmetrics such as state-of-charge, state-of-health and pulse power capability. “By relying on the physics of the battery, we achieved much higher fidelity in our predictions,” he noted, a breakthrough that positioned his research at the forefront of battery modeling innovation.

Following the successful defense of his dissertation in 2021, Dr. Ajiboye was recruited as a Battery Modeling Engineer at Romeo Power, a leading innovator in energy storage systems. He has since joined Apple Inc.’s Battery Technology Division, where he continues to advance research on next-generation battery systems, applying his modeling expertise to enhance performance, safety, and longevity in consumer electronics.

From Russian aerospace laboratories to Silicon Valley’s elite technology labs, Dr. Ajiboye’s professional journey exemplifies the global relevance of his expertise. His trajectory not only reflects sustained academic excellence and original scientific contribution, but also embodies the spirit of global scientific collaboration. In a time where innovation in renewable energy and sustainable systems is paramount, Dr. Ajiboye stands out as a key contributor to the technological advancements shaping the future.

Through perseverance, intellectual rigor, and cross-border impact, Dr. Damola Martins Ajiboye has become a distinguished figure in science and engineering—recognized for his transformative work in nanomaterials and battery modeling across academia and industry alike.