Curiosity to contribution: Aidiel’s journey from research to recognition

For Aidiel Ikmal Bin Abu Hassan, a graduating senior in chemical and biological engineering at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, his interest research began small and grew into something far more meaningful. Originally from Seri Kembangan, Malaysia, Aidiel chose UW–Madison after seeing pictures of Lake Mendota and Lake Monona which reminded him of Ithaca, New York where his mom did her postdoc when he was 11. As he started his college career, his general interest in chemistry and math quickly evolved into a passion for energy storage, polymers, and scientific discovery—thanks in large part to a summer research position in the Loo Lab and the mentorship of graduate student Jenny Wu and Conway Assistant Professor Whitney Loo.

This spring, his passion was recognized with the 2025–2026 Wisconsin Hilldale Undergraduate/Faculty Research Fellowship, one of the university’s most competitive and prestigious undergraduate research honors. The award provides $4,000 to the student and $1,000 to the faculty advisor to support research. Aidiel and his mentor, Professor Whitney Loo, were selected for their project Effect of Ion Solvation Strength on the Nanoscopic Structure of Single-ion Conducting Polymer Blend Electrolytes, a study that aims to improve next-generation solid-state battery technology. The award concludes his undergraduate career that is now propelling Aidiel toward graduate study and continued research.

Finding a research home in the Loo Lab

Although Aidiel had always been interested in research, he wasn’t immediately sure what kind of work he wanted to pursue. “I struggled to figure out what area I wanted to go into,” he recalls. That changed during his junior year when two close friends, Idil Dokucu and Connor Leite, encouraged him to stay in Madison over the summer with them to try research.

Then one day Aidiel attended office hours for CBE 311. “Jenny Wu was my TA, and I was the only student who showed up that day,” he says. “So I asked her about her research—and that was the beginning.” Jenny, who would later become his mentor, introduced him to her work in the Loo Lab on polymer electrolytes for solid-state batteries. The topic aligned perfectly with Aidiel’s growing interest in energy storage.

That summer, Aidiel joined the Loo Lab as the only undergraduate member, working alongside visiting REU student Lorelei Huber. “I came in every weekday after my morning shifts at the Badger Market downstairs,” he says. “Every day I learned something new and got hands on experience in the lab.”

For students who aren’t sure how to get started in research, Aidiel has one major suggestion: talk to your TAs. “A lot of the time, the gateway into research is through someone you already have a connection with,” he explains. “TAs can point you in the right direction and advocate for you.”

Energy storage and unexpected discoveries

So the summer before his senior year, Aidiel dove into the world of solid-state batteries. His research focused on single-ion conducting polymer blend electrolytes (SIPBEs)—an emerging class of materials withpotential to replace traditional liquid electrolytes in lithium-metal batteries. These materials offer improved safety and performance, but their electrochemical behavior remains not fully understood. His work centers on understanding the nanoscopic structure and ion transport mechanisms of these materials, particularly how ion solvation strength affects their behavior.

“Getting a better understanding of these systems could help us design better solid-state batteries,” Aidiel says. “We want to know how the materials behave on a molecular level, so we can improve their performance.”

“My work is about studying the nanoscopic structure of these polymers,” Aidiel explains. “We want to better predict how they behave and how ions move through them.”

One of the most exciting moments in his research came when a polymer blend produced an unexpected result on the lab’s X-ray scattering machine. “It was something we didn’t anticipate, and it caught the attention of scientists when I presented it at the American Physical Society’s (APS) Global Physics Summit in Anaheim, CA,” he says. “Now it’s become a whole new line of investigation—we’re hoping to get more data and eventually publish a paper.”

An award for Aidiel

Winning the Hilldale Fellowship has given Aidiel more than a funding boost—it’s been a validation of the work he’s poured into his research and a launchpad for what’s next. “Writing the proposal was a valuable experience on its own, and getting the award really motivates me to finish this project strong,” he says. Looking back, Aidiel sees his research experience as the most formative part of his time at UW–Madison.

He credits the entire lab team—Jenny, Professor Loo, and fellow members Marissa, Steph, Jingchao, Thorfinnur, and Stanley—for helping him reach this point. “They’ve all taught me so much. I couldn’t have done this without them.”

Lab socials and graduate school

While the science has been compelling, Aidiel is quick to emphasize how much the lab members shaped his experience. “What really elevated everything was the people in the Loo Lab,” he says. “We had socials on the Memorial Union terrace, went bouldering, and just hung out. It was a really positive and fun environment.”

In particular, the support from his mentor Jenny Wu and Professor Loo has been instrumental. “Jenny helped me from zero—I wouldn’t be where I am without her,” Aidiel says. He also credits Professor Whitney Loo for encouraging him to apply to graduate school and guiding him through the process. “She pushed me to aim higher and gave me confidence.”

That encouragement paid off: Aidiel will begin graduate school at the University of Minnesota in Fall 2025, building on the research foundation he’s developed at UW-Madison.

Life beyond the lab

When he’s not in the lab, Aidiel brings the same curiosity and energy to a long list of hobbies. He’s one of the founding members of the ChemE Run Club, which he started with friends Erick Votava and Izzy Michael. He also enjoys biking and bouldering with fellow CBE student Griffin Smith, and can often be found playing soccer, volleyball, ping pong, or guitar—he even performed at Malaysian Night, a cultural event where he helped bring his cohort together.

One of his more unusual “experiments” came during his shifts at Badger Market, where he explored different coffee brewing techniques. “My favorite was pulling an espresso shot over a frozen metal ball,” he says, grinning. “It traps the flavors and makes it stronger and smoother—though I guess we’d have to run that one in a real lab to be sure.”

As he wraps up his time at UW–Madison, Aidiel reflects on how research shaped his path forward. “It’s been one of the most valuable experiences of my life. It opened my eyes to what I really want to do,” he says. “Without it, I wouldn’t have chosen grad school. Now I feel confident about what’s next.”

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