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

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，即锂离子电池中的机械/化学耦合降解。由于锂的扩散，电极可能会断裂，这限制了锂离子电池的耐用性和性能。断裂还会阻碍电极达到其理论上的高容量。本项目专注于电极中应力的表征和建模。将使用原位技术来测量扩散、表面反应和机械性能对电极中应力的影响。非原位观察将揭示裂纹形成和扩展的机制。这些实验结果将被用来进一步发展锂离子电池的机械/化学耦合退化模型。如果成功，这项研究的结果将为表面工程方法控制应力和减缓锂离子电池电极的机械/化学耦合退化奠定基础。研究结果还将有助于为高容量和耐用的锂离子电池建立材料选择标准，以及实现电池寿命预测和健康监测。这项研究将直接影响一些依赖能源储存的技术领域，包括汽车、航空航天、电子和通信。参与研究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，在电化学、材料力学、热科学、化学和物理方面获得深厚的知识和丰富的经验。肯塔基大学和通用汽车公司将共同开发和教授一门关于能源储存的新课程。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.