Dr Ferran Brosa Planella
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Ferran Brosa PlanellaAssociate Professor Office: C0.16 |
Teaching Responsibilities 2025/26:
- Term 1: MA147 Mathematical Methods and Modelling 1
- Term 2: MA302 Electromagnetism
Research Interests:
My research interests are in the broad area of industrial and applied mathematics, with a particular interest in modelling of physical processes for sustainable development applications. I combine analytical techniques and numerical techniques to develop and study mathematical models, and use them to provide insight on real-life systems. and my motivation is to use these models as a tool to provide insight on real-life systems. From a mathematical point of view, I am interested in heat and mass transfer, continuum mechanics, moving boundary problems, and dynamical systems.
I understand research as a collaborative and interdisciplinary endeavour and enjoy working with experts from both academia and industry to bring together models and applications. I am also a strong supporter of open science and I am a core developer of PyBaMM, an open-source battery modelling software with state-of-the-art models and methods. I am also a co-founder of IonworksLink opens in a new window, which develops battery modelling software.
You can find more information on my personal website and my Google Scholar, ResearchGate, and ORCID profiles.
Opportunities:
PhD on "Modelling non-Newtonian thin films for battery electrode coating" [home students only]
Supervisors: Ferran Brosa Planella & Thomasina Ball
Industrial Supervisor: Helen Walker (UKBIC)
Deadline: 15th of May
Project summary
Coating is a key process in battery manufacturing. Due to the cost of the manufacturing process, it is essential to coat as fast as possible while avoiding defects both at the slot die and further downstream. It is well known that the slurry used in the coating process is non-Newtonian. This might include a nonlinear viscosity or a yield stress, distinguishing solid- and fluid-like behaviour. There are also new coating methods being introduced that have not been extensively researched. For example, multi-layer slot die coating has the potential to improve the performance of the battery electrodes. But our understanding of how the coupled layers compete to create a stable film is poorly understood.
Project aims
In this PhD project we aim to understand the influence of rheology of the coatings and how multiple layers effect the system. The focus will be on reduced-order modelling to understand the key physical processes at play. The PhD student will begin by building a thin film model coupling two layers with surface tension effects, van der Waals forcing, and non-Newtonian viscosities. The coupled system will then be explored analytically and numerically to understand the stability of the fluid interfaces downstream of the slot die.
Project outcomes
The main project output will be a set of guidelines on operating conditions and detailed stability windows, with a focus on the influence of rheology and how the multiple layers interact. The model development will be complemented by experimental data from industry partner UKBIC.
What we're looking for
The project will involve mathematical modelling of physical processes and numerical implementation to go beyond analytical results. We are looking for a student with a strong background in mathematics, physics or engineering who is enthusiastic about mathematical modelling in fluid dynamics with applications to the battery industry.
Eligibility and stipend
This PhD is open to home students only (UK nationals or those with settled status). Check if you are eligible here.
The researcher will receive a UKRI stipend, plus £2,000 per year to support training and consumables.
How to apply?
To apply applicants must:
- Apply through the Warwick Maths CDT. Instead of writing a full research proposal, please just state you want to pursue the “Modelling non-Newtonian thin films for battery electrode coating” project.
For informal enquiries, please email Ferran Brosa Planella.
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
Equality, diversity and inclusion concerns every member of our community. The Mathematics Institute provides an inclusive working and learning environment, recognising and respecting all individuals' differences. For more information, please see the department’s Equality, Diversity & Inclusion page.
References
- Kasischke, S. Hartmann, K. Niermann, M. Smarra, D. Kostyrin, U. Thiele, E.L. Gurevich, Pattern formation in slot-die coating, Physics of Fluids 35 (2023) 074117. https://doi.org/10.1063/5.0150340 (numerical study looking at stability of Newtonian thin films)
- D. Reynolds, S.D. Hare, P.R. Slater, M.J.H. Simmons, E. Kendrick, Rheology and Structure of Lithium-Ion Battery Electrode Slurries, Energy Technology 10 (2022) 2200545. https://doi.org/10.1002/ente.202200545 (discussion of the slurry rheology and it’s impacts on coatings)
- Hoffmann, J. Klemens, S. Raupp, C. Hanske, N. Lawrenz, M. Machate, P. Scharfer, W. Schabel, Optimized battery electrodes with primer layers by simultaneous two-layer slot-die coating, Eur. Phys. J. Spec. Top. 234 (2025) 3065–3076. https://doi.org/10.1140/epjs/s11734-024-01398-7 (description of multilayer slot die coatings)
Selected Publications:
For a full list of publications see my publications page.
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J.A. Kuzhiyil, T. Damoulas, F. Brosa Planella, W.D. Widanage, Lithium-ion battery degradation modelling using universal differential equations: Development of a cost-effective parameterisation methodology, Applied Energy 382 (2025) 125221.
- F. Brosa Planella, A simple model for latent thermal energy storage systems with encapsulated phase-change material, International Journal of Heat and Mass Transfer 239 (2025) 126533.
- K. Manmi, M. Tuchel, E. Kendrick, F. Brosa Planella, A Comparison of Standard SEI Growth Models in the Context of Battery Formation, Journal of the Electrochemical Society 171 (2024) 100530.
- F. Brosa Planella, W.D. Widanage, A Single Particle Model with Electrolyte and Side Reactions for degradation of lithium-ion batteries, Applied Mathematical Modelling. 121 (2023) 586-610.
- F. Brosa Planella, W. Ai, A. Boyce, A. Ghosh, I. Korotkin, S. Sahu, V. Sulzer, R. Timms, T. Tranter, M. Zyskin, S. Cooper, J.S. Edge, J.M. Foster, M. Marinescu, B. Wu, G. Richardson, A continuum of physics-based lithium-ion battery models reviewed, Progress in Energy. 4 (2022) 042003.
- K. O’Regan, F. Brosa Planella, W.D. Widanage, E. Kendrick, Thermal-electrochemical parameters of a high energy lithium-ion cylindrical battery, Electrochimica Acta. 425 (2022) 140700.
- F. Brosa Planella, M. Sheikh, W.D. Widanage, Systematic derivation and validation of a reduced thermal-electrochemical model for lithium-ion batteries using asymptotic methods, Electrochimica Acta. 388 (2021) 138524.
- C.-H. Chen, F. Brosa Planella, K. O’Regan, D. Gastol, W.D. Widanage, E. Kendrick, Development of experimental techniques for parameterization of multi-scale lithium-ion battery models, Journal of The Electrochemical Society. 167 (2020) 080534.
- F. Brosa Planella, C.P. Please, R.A. Van Gorder, Extended Stefan problem for solidification of binary alloys in a finite planar domain, SIAM Journal on Applied Mathematics. 79 (2019) 876–913.