{"id":852,"date":"2024-03-18T16:33:46","date_gmt":"2024-03-18T16:33:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.imperial.ac.uk\/materials\/?p=852"},"modified":"2024-06-18T16:08:37","modified_gmt":"2024-06-18T15:08:37","slug":"phd-spotlight-transforming-battery-technologies","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.imperial.ac.uk\/materials\/2024\/03\/18\/phd-spotlight-transforming-battery-technologies\/","title":{"rendered":"PhD Spotlight: Transforming battery technologies"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Name: Ramin Jannat<\/strong><\/p>\n

Position: PhD student in the Department of Materials.<\/p>\n

Research Group: Professor Mary Ryan
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Research Focus: Understanding lithium-ion battery degradation – key to improving technologies like laptops to e-bikes.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

What inspired you to study for a PhD?<\/strong><\/p>\n

I always knew that I wanted to do a PhD because I loved the idea of having a specific research question and dedicating time to answering it (or trying to, at least!). I did my undergraduate degree in Chemical Engineering at UCL, and my master\u2019s project, supervised by Dr Yang Lan<\/a>, revolved around investigating the colloidal stability of coronavirus-like particles, a highly relevant project during the pandemic.<\/p>\n

The only question I had was, \u2018Which field do I want to study in?\u2019 This question was quickly answered when I took three modules related to energy sources. I immediately learnt about how crucial renewable sources play in transitioning our world to net zero. The idea of being able to contribute directly to society and have the opportunity to work with some fantastic researchers is definitely a \u2018pinch me\u2019 feeling!<\/p>\n

Can you tell us more about your research?<\/strong><\/p>\n

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My research focuses on understanding major degradation processes in lithium-ion batteries, which are used in laptops, calculators, e-bikes, and children’s toys. A significant challenge these batteries face is the formation of dendrites\u2014tree-like lithium extensions that grow on the electrode surface. Dendrites can bridge the cathode and anode, leading to short circuits or even explosions (Fig. 1). Despite efforts to suppress dendrite growth, we can’t fully stop them without understanding how and why they form.<\/p>\n

To address this, my research utilises the new cryogenic facility (cryo-EPS)<\/a> in the Department of Materials. I use atom probe tomography (APT) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) to study dendrites at the nanoscale. We can capture real-time snapshots of the battery system by simulating early-stage dendritic growth with an in-situ electrochemical cell and plunge-freezing batteries in liquid nitrogen.<\/p>\n

This research aims to improve battery technology, reduce consumer costs for battery replacement, and support legislative efforts to electrify the UK.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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