Making better batteries for electric vehicles and the electrification of other industry sectors is the key to a sustainable energy future. You will learn about the latest developments in battery technologies from academics and lead engineers at WMG’s Energy Innovation Centre. Since 2016, the WMG battery research team have been developing technology with a range of industrial partners including extensive work in the automotive and aerospace industry.
The Faraday Battery School at WMG is a four-day course that brings together fundamental and applied research into battery technology.
WMG academics and researchers introduce the need for battery technology across a range of industry sectors.
The course covers a broad range of topics going from battery chemistries (lithium-ion, sodium-ion, and beyond-lithium-ion) to advanced characterisation methods for battery materials and cells up to module and pack design, battery management systems, battery safety and testing, battery second life and recycling.
Lectures, four lab sessions with hands-on experiences for a complete engaging learning experience.
As part of the course, students will be introduced to the fundamental principles of:
Electrochemistry and chemistry of battery materials (Li and post-Li chemistries)
Battery manufacturing and characterisation
Battery Systems Engineering
End-of-life management for the battery and its materials
Modelling
The course also offers a platform for delegates to communicate with professors and chief/principal/lead engineers from WMG’s Energy Innovation Centre and opens up future collaboration opportunities.
What will I learn?
In this course you will learn:
Li-ion battery materials.Range of cathode and anode active materials for Li-ion battery application. Cathode comparisons, details of NMC and LFP cathodes, materials synthesis methods and strategies of materials optimisation.
Na-ion battery materials and cells.An overview on the Na-ion technology from materials to cell development including efforts toward commercialisation. Sustainability and economical aspects. Differences between Li and Na storage mechanisms.
Beyond Li-ion.Overview on beyond lithium-ion batteries, including lithium-sulphur, lithium-air and post-lithium chemistries.
Battery forensics.A comprehensive outline of characterisation methods used in forensic analysis with an example case study. Advanced battery characterisation. Battery materials characterisation through operando X-ray diffraction and X-ray absorption. Computed X-ray tomography applied to battery cells.
Module and pack design.Overview of challenges and opportunities of pack design and manufacturing, battery priorities in different sectors, cell/module/pack components, pack design examples and battery life management.
Battery management systems.BMS hardware and software architecture, SOC estimation methods, SOH estimation and linking with degradation, incremental capacity analysis, fast charging, energy balancing.
Smart cells.Benefits, development and analysis of smart cells. Understanding cell performance through sensor instrumentation – temperature, pressure and current sensing and associated circuitry/signal processing.
Predicative understanding.An overview on the key principles to model and simulate Li-ion battery dynamics.
Battery safety and abuse testing.Examples of battery hazards events, mechanical/electrical/thermal abuse testing, risk assessments, high voltage and handling Li-ion batteries in transport.
End-of-life management and recycling.An overview of the recycling processes for EV batteries (discharging, dismantling, module shredding and material separation, pyrometallurgical and hydrometallurgical recycling), safety in recycling, battery second life and life cycle assessment.
Four lab sessions focused on electrode fabrication, cell manufacturing, smart cells and module testing, forensic analysis and microscopy applied to batteries.
Delivery method
The course will be delivered face-to-face at the University of Warwick campus, within WMG's International Digital Laboratory (
IDL
) and Energy Innovation Centre (EIC).
You will be provided with personal protective equipment required during the planned lab sessions.
Who should attend?
This course is open for expression of interest. Priority will be given to PhD students (preferably in their 1st year) affiliated with the Faraday Institution and working on Faraday funded projects.
