Correlation of Internal Pressure to the Fundamental Ageing Mechanisms of Lithium-ion Batteries (22-000003163)
Abstract
The proposed research aims to mitigate the elevated risks associated with the operation of lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) at the high-power rates the Navy will demand in its next generation land- and ship-based power systems. This can only be achieved with continued basic research and workforce development efforts aimed at understanding and improving fundamental LIB materials and operational phenomena. LIBs are sealed devices containing chemically variable electrodes and electrolytes. While in operation, chemical reactions occur that produce free electrons used to do electric work. Anticipated chemical reactions, as well as harmful side reactions, produce gas(s) within the cell. Ion intercalation in and out of the cathode and anode causes them to swell/contract at unique rates. Gas production, especially from side reactions, and intercalation phenomena are strongly exacerbated by temperature, discharge/charge rate, and other extreme conditions. Together these phenomena induce measurablepressure change (#p) in the cell and stress/strain change (#s/s) between the electrodes and on the cell#s outer containment. These changes are measurable from operable cells using novel in-situ diagnostics and our preliminary research has shown that these measurements can be used to predict aging, failure, and to better understand fundamental material level changes. The Navy#s elevated power rates result in unique mechanisms inducing fatigue, degradation, and failure that are not typically evaluated for consumer applications. We aim to understand how these potentially dangerousdevices age and fail at higher power rates both fundamentally and quantifiably. It is proposed here that a multi-disciplinary team composed of graduate and undergraduate students from minority/under-represented groups, work together to expand the preliminary research, and study the correlation of #p and #s/s to aging of LIBs using analytical and experimental methods. The outcome will be new predictive monitoring and modeling tools that will be used to operate batteries more safely in Naval power systems. Additionally multiple students will gain an invaluable educational experience that will prepare them for starting their career in this critical technical field. The PI has previously had multiple students participate in the Naval Research Enterprise Internship Program (NREIP) and it is anticipated that some or all the students working on the proposed project will participate as well. The students will be responsible for all phases of the research including the design of experiments, execution of a well thought out experimental test-plan, proper analysis of the experimental results, and documentation in peer-reviewed journal articles. These outcomes will define success of the proposed research project.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Aug 11, 2023
- Source ID
- N000142312810
Entities
People
- David A. Wetz
Organizations
- Office of Naval Research
- United States Navy
- University of Texas at Arlington