Designing the next generation of rapid-drying electrodes for lithium-ion batteries
- Academic lead
- Dr Arash Rabbani, School of Computer Science, [email protected]
- Co-supervisor(s)
- Dr Masoud Jabbari Behnam, School of Mechanical Engineering, [email protected], Dr Mark Wilson, School of Mechanical Engineering, [email protected], Dr Amir Raoof, Department of Earth Sciences, Utrecht University, the Netherlands, [email protected] (External)
- Project themes
- Advanced Manufacturing, Clean Energy, Computational & Analytical Tools, Experimental Techniques, Multiphysics & Complex Fluids, Transport
Battery manufacturing must become more efficient to meet growing demand for electric vehicles and energy storage. This project tackles a key bottleneck of electrode drying through innovative design of porous electrode structures. By combining Lattice Boltzmann multi-physical modeling with advanced microfluidic experiments, we aim to develop new electrode architectures that revolutionize the drying process while maintaining optimal performance.
The physics of drying in porous electrodes involves complex interactions between capillary forces, phase change, and vapor transport through partially saturated media. Our numerical approach will capture these coupled phenomena, including surface tension effects, contact line dynamics, and the evolution of liquid-vapor interfaces during the drying process.
The student will develop expertise in high-performance computing and fluid dynamics simulation at Leeds, complemented by two research visits to Utrecht University for experimental validation. This project aims to contribute directly to the clean energy transition while enabling the student to develop expertise in both computational and experimental methods, preparing them for opportunities in the rapidly expanding battery-related industries.
