Periodic Reporting for period 1 - FAIR-RFB (Engineered Porous Electrodes to Unlock Ultra-low Cost Fe-Air Redox Flow Batteries)
Berichtszeitraum: 2023-01-01 bis 2025-06-30
This project introduces a groundbreaking approach to designing and improving materials used in batteries, with the potential to transform how we store renewable energy. The focus is on a specific type of battery called the iron–air redox flow battery (FAIR-RFB), which could offer an affordable and efficient solution for storing energy over long periods. To tackle the challenges in making this technology work, the project will combine chemistry, materials science, and computer modeling in three key areas:
(1) Designing better electrode structures:
We will explore how the thee-dimensional structure of battery electrodes affects how well the battery works. Using computer algorithms inspired by natural evolution, we simulate and predict the best shapes and structures. Then, we use a special technique (non-solvent induced phase separation) to create these complex 3D structures and use artificial intelligence to speed up the search for the best designs.
(2) Improving electrode surfaces:
We study how the surface of the electrode—its texture and chemical features—affects how efficiently it transports materials and how long it lasts. By adding carefully selected molecules to the surface, we aim to improve how the battery handles water, air, and iron. We also use advanced microscopy tools to zoom in and understand how these surfaces interact with the surrounding battery environment.
(3) Building a better battery system:
Bringing together the new structures and surfaces, we build a new type of battery that delivers more power with less energy loss. We also use advanced imaging tools, like neutron beams, to visualize what happens inside the battery while it runs. This will help us better understand and improve how the battery works in real-time.
The insights and methods developed in this project will help unlock better-performing, longer-lasting batteries—an essential step toward a more sustainable and renewable energy future.
(1) Designing better electrode structures:
We will explore how the thee-dimensional structure of battery electrodes affects how well the battery works. Using computer algorithms inspired by natural evolution, we simulate and predict the best shapes and structures. Then, we use a special technique (non-solvent induced phase separation) to create these complex 3D structures and use artificial intelligence to speed up the search for the best designs.
(2) Improving electrode surfaces:
We study how the surface of the electrode—its texture and chemical features—affects how efficiently it transports materials and how long it lasts. By adding carefully selected molecules to the surface, we aim to improve how the battery handles water, air, and iron. We also use advanced microscopy tools to zoom in and understand how these surfaces interact with the surrounding battery environment.
(3) Building a better battery system:
Bringing together the new structures and surfaces, we build a new type of battery that delivers more power with less energy loss. We also use advanced imaging tools, like neutron beams, to visualize what happens inside the battery while it runs. This will help us better understand and improve how the battery works in real-time.
The insights and methods developed in this project will help unlock better-performing, longer-lasting batteries—an essential step toward a more sustainable and renewable energy future.
WP1: Designing better electrode structures
We have made exciting progress in developing new porous materials for battery electrodes using a method called non-solvent induced phase separation (NIPS). This allows us to create materials with precisely controlled pore structures, which are important for battery efficiency. We have also further engineered the electrodes by adding small patterns to enhance liquid flow and used nanoparticles to further enhance the electrode surface area. On the computational side, we built powerful simulation tools using artificial intelligence and advanced math to design ideal materials from scratch. These tools are now freely available to the scientific community and have already led to two journal publications.
WP2: Improving electrode surfaces
We are working on how to make battery electrodes more selective to the targeted electrochemical reactions. This includes controlling how water interacts with the electrode surfaces, reducing unwanted side reactions, and improving how metal layers plate and strip during battery operation. For example, we found special additives and coatings that help iron plate more evenly and improve battery life. One such coating significantly reduced the production of unwanted hydrogen gas, improving overall battery efficiency. This work has been published in two peer-reviewed scientific publications.
WP3: Building improved battery systems
Our focus here is to develop new types of battery architectures specifically for iron-air systems. We have made progress in creating and testing new reactor designs and are exploring flowable electrodes, where materials flow more like a thick liquid, using nanomaterials and surfactants. More progress is expected as the individual components mature.
WP4: Seeing inside batteries during operation
We have applied new imaging techniques using neutrons to visualize what happens inside a working battery—something that was not possible before. One method tracks how materials move and react in real time, giving us insights into battery performance and helping us improve designs. Another technique uses the magnetic properties of neutrons to monitor iron buildup and gas formation during operation, helping us understand and prevent degradation. One of these breakthroughs has been published in Nature Communications, and a second study is in progress.
We have made exciting progress in developing new porous materials for battery electrodes using a method called non-solvent induced phase separation (NIPS). This allows us to create materials with precisely controlled pore structures, which are important for battery efficiency. We have also further engineered the electrodes by adding small patterns to enhance liquid flow and used nanoparticles to further enhance the electrode surface area. On the computational side, we built powerful simulation tools using artificial intelligence and advanced math to design ideal materials from scratch. These tools are now freely available to the scientific community and have already led to two journal publications.
WP2: Improving electrode surfaces
We are working on how to make battery electrodes more selective to the targeted electrochemical reactions. This includes controlling how water interacts with the electrode surfaces, reducing unwanted side reactions, and improving how metal layers plate and strip during battery operation. For example, we found special additives and coatings that help iron plate more evenly and improve battery life. One such coating significantly reduced the production of unwanted hydrogen gas, improving overall battery efficiency. This work has been published in two peer-reviewed scientific publications.
WP3: Building improved battery systems
Our focus here is to develop new types of battery architectures specifically for iron-air systems. We have made progress in creating and testing new reactor designs and are exploring flowable electrodes, where materials flow more like a thick liquid, using nanomaterials and surfactants. More progress is expected as the individual components mature.
WP4: Seeing inside batteries during operation
We have applied new imaging techniques using neutrons to visualize what happens inside a working battery—something that was not possible before. One method tracks how materials move and react in real time, giving us insights into battery performance and helping us improve designs. Another technique uses the magnetic properties of neutrons to monitor iron buildup and gas formation during operation, helping us understand and prevent degradation. One of these breakthroughs has been published in Nature Communications, and a second study is in progress.
This project has achieved and is expected to achieve several breakthroughs that push beyond the current state of the art in electrochemical technologies:
• Advanced Porous Electrodes: Using NIPS in tandem with computational methods, we developed porous electrodes with tunable multimodal pore structures, offering superior control over morphology and significantly enhancing flow battery performance.
• Reaction Selectivity via Conductive Polymers: We introduced a novel strategy to control reaction pathways in flow batteries using conductive polymer coatings—an approach with broad potential for other electrochemical systems.
• Neutron Imaging of Electrochemical Reactors: We applied advanced (including polarized) neutron imaging techniques, providing unprecedented insight into mass transport and reaction dynamics in operating cells. These methods open new avenues for research across electrochemical and catalytic systems.
Additionally, we anticipate to push the boundaries of iron-air batteries which are a promising solution for long-duration energy storage.
• Advanced Porous Electrodes: Using NIPS in tandem with computational methods, we developed porous electrodes with tunable multimodal pore structures, offering superior control over morphology and significantly enhancing flow battery performance.
• Reaction Selectivity via Conductive Polymers: We introduced a novel strategy to control reaction pathways in flow batteries using conductive polymer coatings—an approach with broad potential for other electrochemical systems.
• Neutron Imaging of Electrochemical Reactors: We applied advanced (including polarized) neutron imaging techniques, providing unprecedented insight into mass transport and reaction dynamics in operating cells. These methods open new avenues for research across electrochemical and catalytic systems.
Additionally, we anticipate to push the boundaries of iron-air batteries which are a promising solution for long-duration energy storage.