Battery materials and chemistries: from fundamental mechanisms to battery cells

• Describe the fundamentals of a battery cell
• Explain the similarities and differences between types of batteries and battery chemistries
• Explain the mechanisms and functionalities of the individual components of batteries
• Apply the critical parameters in the selection of materials
• Assess the critical parameters in the selection of operating conditions
• Analyze data describing the electrochemical performance of batteries
• Calculate the energy efficiency
• Explain possible degradation mechanisms leading to decrease in cell performance
• Describe advantages and disadvantages of different types of batteries in comparison with other energy storage technologies
• Apply computational modelling to describe battery materials and mechanisms
• Understand the principles of working safely in the laboratory

The principles of various battery types and chemistries. Methods for a theoretical description of the fundamental properties of battery cells and battery materials. Materials demands and limitations of the individual components, i.e. electrolyte, anode and cathode materials. Challenges for the assembled cells related to materials and interfaces will be discussed in a chemical and structural context. Characterization and evaluation of cell properties by, e.g., electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry. Structural and microstructural description of battery materials. Description/studies of degradation mechanisms for state-of-the-art Li-ion and metal-air batteries. Discussions of future (beyond lithium-ion) batteries. The students will assemble a rechargeable battery. Electrochemical characterization will be done using, e.g., impedance spectroscopy, and the effect of high current on overpotential and capacity will be investigated.
The students will also perform computational modelling using density functional theory of the overpotentials in a lithium-air cell and/or ionic transport in lithium-ion battery materials.

10302/26000/47305, Bachelor in Physics and Nanotechnology, or Chemistry and Technology, or Production and Construction, or Electro Technology, or General Engineering, or similar

Lectures, experimental and computational exercises
Safety in the lab is part of the course.
The course will be evaluated during the course period.

Minimum: 10, Maximum: 24.

Please be aware that this course has a minimum requirement for the number of participants needed, in order for it to be held. If these requirements are not met, then the course will not be held. Furthermore, there is a limited number of seats available. If there are too many applicants, a pool will be created for the remainder of the qualified applicants, and they will be selected at random. You will be informed 8 days before the start of the course, whether you have been allocated a spot.