Periodic Reporting for period 4 - BATMAN (Development of Quantitative Metrologies to Guide Lithium Ion Battery Manufacturing)
Reporting period: 2020-11-01 to 2021-10-31
Lithium ion batteries are gaining traction as the key energy storage solution for electric mobility, the integration of renewables into the energy supply, and global electrification for sustainable growth and economic development. This project aimed to develop design guidelines and engineering solutions for achieving higher performance and safer lithium ion batteries. To meet these aims, the project focused on developing and implementing quantitative methods to study the complex interrelations between structure of materials and the electrochemistry occurring in lithium ion battery active materials and cells. The project also aimed to develop engineering solutions to achieve high performance battery components based on the developed design guidelines.
We developed imaging and image analysis techniques to obtain 3D reconstructions of components in lithium ion batteries from the nano- to centimeter-length scales. We used the insights from these images as well as the ability to perform simulation on the 3D reconstructions to understand the coupled structural, mechanical, and electrochemical properties of batteries. We have done this now for battery electrodes, polymer-binders in battery electrodes, and battery separators. This enabled us to determine the shortcomings of these components and generate targeted concepts for improving their performance. We used this understanding to propose and develop new coatings, materials, and manufacturing approaches. These findings have led to a number of peer reviewed publications, open source data sets (the Battery Microstructure Project) that can (and are) being used for further studies by the community, and two spin-off companies.
Through the work in this project, we have been able to move beyond the state of the art in both (1) techniques for studying batteries and (2) understanding of batteries. We've also been able to demonstrate ways to improve batteries materials and manufacturing processes. With regards to techniques for studying batteries, we have demonstrated approaches for quantitative imaging battery components and ways to analyse these images. We've also applied new approaches to study surfaces of battery materials. With the understanding gained from these measurement techniques, we have improved our understanding of the relative impact of structure, material, and surface science on effective conductivities, voltage losses, and ultimately (dis)charge rates.