From Brazil to Germany: A Global Research Path
Originally from Brazil, Dr. Rufino’s academic path reflects a deep commitment to innovation and cross-border knowledge exchange. His journey began at the Federal Institute of Minas Gerais (IFMG), where he earned his bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering. He later completed a Master’s degree in Systems and Automation Engineering at the Federal University of Lavras (UFLA), specializing in signal processing and power quality.
His PhD, awarded with Summa cum Laude distinction, was part of Brazil’s renowned Bioenergy Program, a collaborative initiative among the University of São Paulo (USP), University of Campinas (UNICAMP), and São Paulo State University (UNESP). His research was internationally supervised by scholars from Brazil, Germany, and Italy, including Prof. Dr. Hudson Zanin (UNICAMP), Prof. Dr. Hans-Georg Schweiger (THI), and Prof. Dr. Eleonora Riva Sanseverino (UNIPA).
Connecting Through AWARE
Dr. Rufino’s involvement with the AWARE initiative began in 2019, during the early stages of his PhD. His research vision aligned closely with AWARE's mission to foster international collaboration across disciplines. It was through AWARE that he established a pivotal connection with Prof. Dr. Schweiger, opening doors to collaborative opportunities in Europe.
“AWARE enabled me to step beyond my comfort zone and engage daily in meaningful and challenging projects,” Dr. Rufino reflects. “It connected me with researchers driven to think critically, publish impactful research, and build real solutions for the future of energy.”
Research with Real-World Impact
Since 2022, Dr. Rufino has worked as a Wissenschaftlicher Mitarbeiter (Research Associate) at THI’s CARISSMA research center, contributing to key European research projects focused on sustainable battery technology and safety systems.
During his PhD, Dr. Rufino developed a blockchain-based platform for battery traceability, addressing fundamental issues in the battery supply chain such as interoperability, data transparency, and regulatory compliance. His contributions aim to enable more sustainable, secure, and efficient battery reuse and recycling processes.
At THI, he played a vital role in the PRIMA-Batteries project, collaborating with industry partners to develop data-driven models for estimating battery State of Health (SOH) and Remaining Useful Life (RUL). He also contributed to the design of a cloud-based battery monitoring and diagnostics platform.
Currently, Dr. Rufino is part of iBattMan, a European initiative uniting 11 partners (including six from industry) to develop interoperable battery management system architectures focused on safety, reliability, and cloud integration.
Driving Innovation at the Intersection of Research and Industry
Dr. Rufino’s work stands out for its integration of applied research, industrial collaboration, and academic mentorship. His expertise spans embedded systems, AI-based battery diagnostics, FPGA solutions, and next-generation energy storage technologies.
He actively contributes to the development of AI models for estimating State of Charge (SoC), advances algorithms for battery diagnostics, and supports the European push for Battery Passports, aligning innovation with emerging regulatory frameworks.
In parallel, he supervises student projects, collaborates on high-impact research proposals, and publishes scholarly work in peer-reviewed journals—demonstrating his commitment to cultivating the next generation of energy researchers.
AWARE: Enabling a Connected Research Future
AWARE has been a transformative platform in Dr. Rufino’s career, helping him bridge the gap between academic research and scalable industrial solutions. It provided the foundation for his multidisciplinary approach, combining electronics, control systems, machine learning, and signal processing to solve real-world challenges in electromobility.
“AWARE served as my gateway to applying research to complex dynamic systems. It fostered not only scientific excellence but also a supportive international community of peers and mentors.”
As the energy sector continues to evolve, the contribution of researchers like Dr. Carlos Rufino Júnior—guided by purpose, partnership, and innovation—reminds us that the future of sustainable technology lies in strong global networks and collaborative research ecosystems.
You are interested in Dr. Rufino's topics? Find his publications here: Carlos ANTÔNIO RUFINO JÚNIOR | Researcher Associate | Phd. in Bioenergy | Technische Hochschule Ingolstadt, Ingolstadt | Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science | Research profile