Emily Ryan, Modeling the Physics and Performance Issues in Advanced Battery Technologies

  • Starts: 3:00 pm on Wednesday, December 2, 2015
  • Ends: 4:00 pm on Wednesday, December 2, 2015
Hariri Institute for Computing, Room 180 Refreshments to follow Modeling the Physics and Performance Issues in Advanced Battery Technologies Emily Ryan Junior Faculty Fellow, Hariri Institute for Computing Assistant Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering Division of Materials Science and Engineering With an introduction by Professor Alice White, Chair of the Mechanical Engineering Department Abstract: Advanced batteries, such as lithium air and lithium sulfur batteries, have the potential to substantially increase the energy density of lithium batteries; however they are still in the research and development stages. Computational modeling can be used to understand the operation, performance and degradation of new battery technologies and is capable of resolving physics that cannot be seen experimentally. A mesh-free Lagrangian computational model has been developed to investigate the issue of dendrite growth in lithium batteries and to explore mitigation strategies to suppress dendrite growth. Dendrite growth occurs at the anode-electrolyte interface of the battery and is a performance and safety issue in lithium batteries. Over multiple charge and discharge cycles dendrites grow into the electrolyte decreasing the lithium available for electrochemical reactions and increasing the risk of short circuit. Mass transport in the electrolyte is a main driving force for the growth and morphology of dendrites. A computational model has been developed to investigate the effects of anisotropic transport properties and electro-osmotic flow on dendrite growth. Results suggest that anisotropic materials, such as liquid crystals, could reduce dendrite growth and produce a more robust structure, and that low viscosity electrolytes suppress growth. Results from the model are being used to inform data-driven materials informatics to identify new electrolyte materials.
Location:
Hariri Institute for Computing, Room 180
Registration:
http://www.bu.edu/hic/2015/11/05/emily-ryan-institute-junior-fellow-gives-dec-2-2015-meet-our-fellows-talk/
Hosting Professor
Alice White