Sustainable Energy Storage and Conversion: from Performance of Materials to Prototype Development

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The recent growth in commercial electric vehicle (EV) production is primarily due to the development of lithium ion (Li-ion) batteries which power the motor and thus drive the vehicle. As of 2016, 1.5 million electric vehicles had been sold worldwide. The battery is the key operating tool to drive the EV and also the key barrier to making EVs commercially attainable in terms of cost. One of the biggest issues with the battery is that it generates heat during the charge and discharge period, requiring a thermal management system, especially for Li-ion batteries. Further, uneven or excessive temperature rise in a battery module reduces its life and performance significantly. If the lifetime of electric vehicles' batteries could be increased by 10 years, GHG emissions in Canada would be reduced by approximately 56% (nrc cnrc.gc.ca/eng/publications/nrc_pubs/energy_storage/2016/summer_main_article 2016.html). Therefore, improving the safety, performance, and life cycle of the large-scale battery is at great demand. The scope of the proposed research is to address these challenges by developing passive battery thermal management systems (BTMSs) using composite phase change materials (PCMs) and innovative heat exchangers. One of the limitations of PCMs is their low thermal conductivity which slows down their melting/freezing rate. A faster melting/freezing rate is a requirement for battery thermal management. In this program, composite materials containing nano-PCM (nanoparticles dispersed in PCM) impregnated in porous medium will be developed to accelerate the heat transfer rate. An important characteristic of the nano-PCMs is their tunable thermophysical properties. Addition of nanoparticles increases PCM's thermal conductivity, viscosity, density and reduces the specific heat, while addition of porous medium enhances the heat transfer surface area. Therefore, the proposed program includes (1) preparation, characterization, and performance evaluation of composite nano-PCM, (2) design and analyse composite nano-PCM based latent heat thermal energy storage (LHTES) systems with compact, innovative, and light weight heat exchangers, and (3) investigate the application of LHTES systems for BTMS due to vibration. The ultimate goal of this program is the development of composite PCMs for BTMS and apply this knowledge to other application areas such as in active wear apparel and face/body lotion to protect the skin area in  harsh environment. While the implementation of this technology is the long term vision of this program, advancing the fundamental knowledge of all aspects related to this technology is the core value supporting the realization of this vision. This knowledge will be a window to new applications, which will stream from this program but may stretch well beyond it. In line with this core value, a major scope of the program is to educate HQP well-versed in BTMS and possessing a multi-disciplinary expertise applicable in diverse sectors.