Micro-mechanical modelling of battery electrodes

The chemo-mechano coupling at the electrode length scale is known to drive microstructure evolution resulting in performance loss. Recent efforts to incorporate these phenomena in microstructurally faithful 'Newman' type models has provided a nascent insight into the complex coupling between microstructure, chemistry and mechanical behaviour of particles and electrodes [Chung]. In this project, the student will explore the development and application of these image based modelling tools for a range of anode and cathode chemistries, providing crucial insight into electrode degradation, thereby also providing a crucial linkage between the modelling and degradation fast starts. Software tools: COMSOL/Abaqus. Interfaces with XP5, CC3