Chemical Society Seminar: Steen Brian Schougaard - Lithium-Ion Transport – Why Is It So Difficult ?

Abstract:

“Why does it take so long to charge my car, my phone, my computer, my ......?” this is the type of question that we are trying to answer. Specifically, in this talk we will consider ion transport and why it is one of the major challenges in high power operation of Li-ion batteries. When studying ion transport, measurements must be completed in situ, which requires the development of new analytical methods that allow us to characterise ionic transport across scales: from the single active particle, over the electrode up to the full cell scale. Finally, we will give an example where recycled materials offer a unique opportunity to improve electrode level performance, in part due to improved ionic conduction.

Bio:

Steen B. Schougaard, is the Chair of the Chemistry Department and Professor of Inorganic Chemistry at the Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM). A native of Denmark, he received his Ph.D. from the University of Texas at Austin, followed by a Postdoctoral Fellowship with Nobel laureate Prof. J. B. Goodenough and a staff researcher position at RISØ Danish national laboratory, wherefrom he was recruited to UQAM. At the UQAM, he has developed in close collaboration with industry a research program around lithium-ion batteries, which include atomistic to mesoscale modeling, conducting polymer based electrodes, scanning electrochemical probes and advanced in situ characterization techniques requiring synchrotron radiation.