Academic Credentials
  • Ph.D., Mechanical Engineering, Penn State University, 2017
  • M.S., Mechanical Engineering, Penn State University, 2014
  • B.A., Economics, University of Memphis, 2011
  • B.S., Mechanical Engineering, University of Memphis, 2010
Professional Honors
  • Engineering Dean's Award, 2011
  • Student marshal, Herff College of engineering, class of 2010
Professional Affiliations
  • American Society of Mechanical Engineers (2014 - present)
Languages
  • Spanish

Dr. Mendoza earned his Ph.D. in mechanical engineering at Pennsylvania State University. His areas of expertise include model-based control, estimation, information theory, and optimal experimental design.  

Dr. Mendoza's research focused on quantifying how the thermodynamic properties of lithium-ion batteries contribute to errors in state and parameter estimation. Additionally, his extensive knowledge of energy storage materials enabled him to study battery pack performance and safety.

Dr. Mendoza's publications include methods for estimating the entropy coefficients of lithium-ion batteries from dynamic experiments, optimal trajectory shaping for combined thermal and electrochemical model parameter identification, and experimentally validated analytic expressions to quantify the error in battery state of charge (SOC) estimation. The fundamental contributions of his work with lithium-ion batteries are broadly applicable to other energy storage technologies.

Prior to joining Exponent, Dr. Mendoza was a Battery Controls Software Lead Engineer at General Motors (GM). His efforts focused on developing control software for propulsion batteries and battery management systems (BMS). He validated the controls software using hardware in the loop (HIL) setup and he executed tests for functional and performance validation. He also worked on the development and implementation of model-based control and diagnostic strategies to enable gas engines to meet EPA emission requirements, to optimize fuel consumption, and to maintain vehicle drivability.

Dr. Mendoza also has a background in Economics and is a certified Six Sigma Green Belt by GM. He has applied his knowledge of Economics and project management for over 8 years in project budgeting, scope analysis, cost tracking and life cycle studies.

Recent Projects