Integration Of Lithium-ion Batteries Research Articles

Research on the recycling methods for lithium-ion batteries in the electric vehicle industry

The accelerating threat of climate change has spotlighted the imperative for greener transportation solutions, resulting in the swift transition to electric vehicles (EVs). An essential aspect of this transformation is the integration of lithium-ion batteries as energy storage. However, the subsequent challenge of managing end-of-life batteries has underscored the urgency for efficient recycling strategies to mitigate environmental risks and economic losses. By researching current valuable articles, this article gives an overview of the current challenges in recycling lithium-ion batteries, including issues with electrode materials, ageing, and safety concerns, as well as various recycling techniques explored in response to these challenges, such as pyrometallurgical and hydrometallurgical processes, direct recycling, and emerging biological recycling methods.

Integration of a lithium-ion battery in a micro-photovoltaic system: Passive versus active coupling architectures

A balcony photovoltaic (PV) system, also known as a micro-PV system, is a small PV system consisting of one or two solar modules with an output of 100–600 Wp and a corresponding inverter that uses standard plugs to feed the renewable energy into the house grid. In the present study we demonstrate the integration of a commercial lithium-ion battery into a commercial micro-PV system. We firstly show simulations over one year with one second time resolution which we use to assess the influence of battery and PV size on self-consumption, self-sufficiency and the annual cost savings. We then develop and operate experimental setups using two different architectures for integrating the battery into the micro-PV system. In the passive hybrid architecture, the battery is in parallel electrical connection to the PV module. In the active hybrid architecture, an additional DC-DC converter is used. Both architectures include measures to avoid maximum power point tracking of the battery by the module inverter. Resulting PV/battery/inverter systems with 300 Wp PV and 555 Wh battery were tested in continuous operation over three days under real solar irradiance conditions. Both architectures were able to maintain stable operation and demonstrate the shift of PV energy from the day into the night. System efficiencies were observed comparable to a reference system without battery. This study therefore demonstrates the feasibility of both active and passive coupling architectures.

A new concept of highways infrastructure integrating energy storage devices for e-mobility transition

European Commission aims to reach net zero carbon emissions by 2050. Since transport produces 23 % of the global emissions, a massive electrification is necessary. A proper infrastructure for battery and fuel cell electric vehicles (BEVs/FCEVs) charging/refueling should be developed, especially along the highways. This research study illustrates three different alternatives of energy storage integration into fast charging stations (FCSs) aiming to support BEVs/FCEVs fast charging/refueling by exploiting the surplus of renewable energy assessed in Italy at 2040. Specifically, the integration of Lithium-Ion Battery (LIB), Vanadium Redox Flow Battery (VRFB) and LIB/Proton Exchange Membrane Electrolyzer (PEM-E) into FCS is analyzed assessing the overgeneration exploitation and volumetric encumbrance of storage section. Dynamic FCS models are developed for each scenario and simulations are performed to proper sizing the storage components. The paper outcomes highlight that the number of charged/refueled EVs at parity of occupied volume is for the PEM-E case of one order magnitude lower than LIB case. If the comparison is made over the charged/refueled kWh per cube meter, the difference between PEM-E and LIB is significantly reduced (i.e., 11.7 vs. 28 kWh m−3). It is highlighted as BEVs fast charging (once LIB is considered) allows more than halve volume occupation with respect to FCEVs refueling with H2 on-site production, since territory occupation is a constraint at systemic level. Moreover, the LIB integration allows a reduction up to 53 % of the power requested from the grid with respect to the storage absence, reducing under voltage and power stability issues as well.

Energy Evaluation of a PV-Based Test Facility for Assessing Future Self-Sufficient Buildings

In recent years, investigations on advanced technological solutions aiming to achieve high-energy performance in buildings have been carried out by research centers and universities, in accordance with the reduction in buildings’ energy consumption required by European Union. However, even if the research and design of new technological solutions makes it possible to achieve the regulatory objectives, a building’s performance during operation deviates from simulations. To deepen this topic, interesting studies have focused on testing these solutions on full-scale facilities used for real-life activities. In this context, a test facility will be built in the university campus of Politecnico di Torino (Italy). The facility has been designed to be an all-electric nearly Zero Energy Building (nZEB), where heating and cooling demand will be fulfilled by an air-source heat pump and photovoltaic generators will meet the energy demand. In this paper, the facility energy performance is evaluated through a dynamic simulation model. To improve energy self-sufficiency, the integration of lithium-ion batteries in a HVAC system is investigated and their storage size is optimized. Moreover, the facility has been divided into three units equipped with independent electric systems with the aim of estimating the benefits of local energy sharing. The simulation results clarify that the facility meets the expected energy performance, and that it is consistent with a typical European nZEB. The results also demonstrate that the local use of photovoltaic energy can be enhanced thanks to batteries and local energy sharing, achieving a greater independence from the external electrical grid. Furthermore, the analysis of the impact of the local energy sharing makes the case study of particular interest, as it represents a simplified approach to the energy community concept. Thus, the results clarify the academic potential for this facility, in terms of both research and didactic purposes.

Experimental Visualization of Commercial Lithium Ion Battery Cathodes: Distinguishing Between the Microstructure Components Using Atomic Force Microscopy

The integration of lithium-ion batteries (LIB) into transportation through the implementation of hybrid and electric vehicles is driving fundamental research into improving their performance and lifetime. The rapid production of new electric vehicles by several popular brands also raises the question of how much material will eventually need to be reused or recycled. With a combination of an enhanced fundamental analysis of commercially utilized electrodes with fundamental chemical knowledge, answers to the scientific material challenges of lithium ion batteries will aid in not only the implementation of battery powered electrical transport but also the development of end of life recycling processes. Here, using quantitative nanomechanical and conductive atomic force microscopy, which are nondestructive and rapid techniques, the different components of the composite electrode are unveiled at the nanoscale, identifying the mechanism by which the active material binds together and how the conductive network is formed. Changes in the polymer binder network are observed in an aged cell and are shown to affect the mechanical integrity of the electrode structure, which can lead to the failure of the electrode. The links between nanomechanical and macro-mechanical properties were evaluated using a scratch test and optical microscopy to show that the mechanical integrity of the aged cell was weaker than that of the untouched cell.

Lithium barrier materials for on-chip Si-based microbatteries

The integration of lithium-ion batteries, featuring ultra-high discharge rates, directly into silicon-based semiconductor devices opens unique paths towards the development of new mobile micro-electronics applications. Nevertheless, the small and mobile lithium ions have to be confined within the battery area of the silicon chip, otherwise the nearby fine microelectronics devices will be irreversibly damaged. Hence, a barrier material that blocks Li+ transport from the active components of the battery into the surrounding crystalline Si is needed. Here we evaluated the capability of magnetron sputtered barrier films of nitrides and alloys of refractory metals to prevent lithium ion diffusion and, thus, the formation of Li–Si phases outside the battery area. In order to determine the Li profiles in the barrier layer and in the silicon substrate, time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectroscopy was applied for profiling the first microns. In combination with electrochemical testing it turned out that titanium nitride as well as tantalum nitride barriers are able to significantly block Li ion migration.

Analytical Investigation of Binder’s Role on the Diffusion Induced Stresses in Lithium Ion Battery through a Representative System of Spherical Isolated Electrode Particle Enclosed by Binder

Binder which serves to maintain mechanical and electrical integrity of Lithium ion batteries and occupies as much as 50% of battery weight is rather relatively less explored in terms of its effect on electrode and binder stresses during charging-discharging operation and hence motivates the present work. Closed form solution of diffusion induced stresses in an isolated spherical linear elastic, perfectly plastic electrode particle encapsulated by a linear viscoelastic binder during galvanostatic charging-discharging cycle under two sets of boundary conditions for the binder surface viz. traction free and fully constrained are developed. It is proved that the stresses in binder are unchanged even if electrode deforms elastically or plastically and whether diffusion in electrode is driven by concentration gradient or combination of concentration gradient and hydrostatic stress. The analysis identifies that current density not only directly controls the diffusion induced stress in electrode but affects it indirectly through change in stiffness of the binder depending upon the cycle time. Furthermore analysis reveals lower viscosity, lower stiffness and faster relaxation behavior as the recommended binder properties for lower diffusion induced stresses in electrode and binder.

Deformation and failure characteristics of four types of lithium-ion battery separators

Abstract Mechanical properties and failure mechanisms of battery separators play a crucial role in integrity of Lithium-ion batteries during an electric vehicle crash event. In this study, four types of commonly used battery separators are characterized and their mechanical performance, strength, and failure are compared. This includes two dry-processed polyethylene (PE) and trilayer separators, a wet-processed ceramic-coated separator, and a nonwoven separator. In detail, uniaxial tensile tests were performed along machine direction (MD), transverse direction (TD) and diagonal direction (DD). Also, through-thickness compression tests and biaxial punch tests were conducted. Comprehensive mechanical tests revealed interesting deformation and failure patterns under extreme mechanical loads. Last, a finite element model of PE separator was developed in LSDYNA based on the uniaxial tensile and through-thickness compression test data. The model succeeded in predicting the response of PE separator under punch tests with different sizes of punch head.

Integration of Lithium Ion Battery and Electrochemical Capacitor Energy Storage Directly On-Chip using Direct Write Dispenser Printing

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