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Macroscale Modelling of Lithium-Air Batteries Macroscale modelling of lithium-air batteries Project Description Li-air batteries offer great advantages over Li-ion batteries, particularly for transport applications, by possessing an order of magnitude more energy density. However, despite a considerable amount of research, commercialisable Li-air batteries have yet to be demonstrated. This project aims to create a model to bridge between the properties of individual cell components and the performance of a full cell. This model would assist in producing a practical Li-air battery as a step on the road to commercialisation. The project involves constructing a cell-scale model of the battery based on readily available/obtainable input data such as cyclic voltammograms, viscosity, diffusion and chemical reaction rates, to obtain parameters such as voltage, spatially resolved state-of-charge and local chemical compositions. This model would include simulating the effect of redox mediators (small molecules introduced to the electrolyte to assist with electron transfer) on overall cell performance. In order to achieve this, the FUSE intern will first need to become familiar with the fundamental equations and physical phenomena that govern the operation of Li-Air batteries. Then, in collaboration with other researchers, the FUSE intern will construct, an initially simple, but modular model to investigate the effects of these parameters on battery operating. This model will be designed to be modular to allow continual improvement and expansion as more physical phenomena are added. Should time allow the FUSE intern will then proceed to introduce these additional physics. A background in physical simulation and/or programming, although desirable, is not required for an application. It is anticipated this project be conducted using COMSOL Multiphysics. Due to the ongoing COVID-19 situation, the entire project will be running remotely. Project Goals To create a modular multiphysical model of Li-Air batteries The FUSE intern to learn about the fundamentals of batteries to enable potential future work in the energy sector Expose the FUSE intern to a research environment and operating in such an environment FUSE students will be invited to participate in a Faraday Institution event to share their posters with UK battery researchers and industry partners. Prizes will be awarded. Eligibility In order to partake in the project you must: be a full-time registered undergraduate student at a UK university, and undertake the internship within the years of undergraduate study (i.e. not be currently in your final year). Funding A salary of £9.50/hour across the UK or £10.85/hour in London will be provided. This will be determined by the working address of the appointee not the university’s location. The internship is a full-time role for eight weeks beginning in early July. The funding is provided by The Faraday Institution. Deadline To apply, please complete this survey by 25 April. Suggested format for a CV: Name, contact details (email and phone number) A-level/equivalent/other qualifications (subjects, grades&marks if possible) Current university, year of study, course, modules studied which are relevant to the project Work experience you have – explain specifically what you did, how long you did it for, any indications of what was achieved in this time Give a selection of projects/activities undertaken (2-4) explain how these activities exemplify your suitability for this project (e.g. how you took initiative, solved problems, learn skills etc.) Explain what you feel are the major challenges in the energy storage field and how this project addresses them Project information Battery Degradation – The Faraday Institution Multi-scale Modelling – The Faraday Institution Related papers and further reading Modeling study of a Li–O2 battery with an active cathode - ScienceDirect Xianglin Li et al. (https://doi.org/10.1016/j.energy.2014.12.062) Discharge Performance of Li–O2 Batteries Using a Multiscale Modeling Approach | The Journal of Physical Chemistry C (acs.org) Jie Bao et al. (https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jpcc.5b01441) .
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