GOALI: Understanding and Controlling Coupled Mechanical and Chemical Degradation Phenomena within Insertion Electrodes

这个学术与工业联络资助机会（GOALI）项目的研究目标是了解并最终控制电化学储能中一个鲜为人知的现象，即锂离子电池的机械/化学耦合降解。由于锂离子的扩散，电极可能断裂，从而限制了锂离子电池的耐用性和性能。断裂也会阻碍电极达到较高的理论容量。本项目的重点是电极应力的表征和建模。原位技术将用于测量扩散、表面反应和机械性能对电极应力的影响。非原位观察将揭示裂纹形成和扩展的机制。实验结果将用于进一步完善锂离子电池的耦合机械/化学降解模型。如果成功，这项研究的结果将形成表面工程方法的基础，以控制应力和减轻锂离子电池电极的耦合机械/化学降解。研究结果还将有助于建立高容量和耐用锂离子电池的材料选择标准，以及电池寿命预测和健康监测。这项研究将直接影响许多依赖于能源存储的技术领域，包括汽车、航空航天、电子和通信。参与的博士后研究人员和学生将通过在学术和工业实验室进行合作研究，获得在电化学、材料力学、热科学、化学和物理方面的深入知识和广泛经验。肯塔基大学（University of Kentucky）和通用汽车（General Motors）将联合开发和教授一门关于储能的新课程。研究成果将通过出版物传播，以促进电化学储能知识的发展。

The research objective of this Grant Opportunity for Academic Liaison with Industry (GOALI) project is to understand and, ultimately, control one of the poorly understood phenomena in electrochemical energy storage, namely the coupled mechanical/chemical degradation in lithium ion batteries. As a result of lithium diffusion, electrodes may fracture which limits the durability and performance of lithium ion batteries. Fracture can also prevent electrodes from achieving their high theoretical capacity. This project focuses on characterization and modeling of stresses in electrodes. In situ techniques will be used to measure the effects of diffusion, surface reactions, and mechanical properties on stresses in electrodes. Ex situ observations will reveal the mechanisms of crack formation and growth. The experimental findings will be used to further advance coupled mechanical/chemical degradation models for lithium ion batteries.If successful, the results of this research will form the basis for surface engineering approaches to control stresses and mitigate the coupled mechanical/chemical degradation in lithium ion battery electrodes. The results will also help establish materials selection criteria for high capacity and durable lithium ion batteries, as well as enable battery life prediction and health monitoring. The research will directly impact a number of technological areas that depend on energy storage, including automotive, aerospace, electronics, and communication. Participating postdoctorial researchers and students will gain deep knowledge and broad experience in electrochemistry, mechanics of materials, thermal sciences, chemistry, and physics by conducting collaborative research in academic and industrial laboratories. A new course on energy storage will be jointly developed and taught at both the University of Kentucky and General Motors. The research results will be disseminated through publications to advance the state of knowledge in electrochemical energy storage.