Overview
Topic status: We're looking for students to study this topic.
Li-ion batteries are at the heart of today's hybrid electric vehicle power source and it is thought that they will be one of the nanotechnologies that facilitates the development of tomorrow's mainstream all electric vehicles. Of particular interest to vehicle manufacturers is the lithium, iron, phosphate (LiFePO4) battery chemistry.
In this project we will develop a two-scale mathematical model for the discharge of a LiFePO4 battery electrode. The model equations will be solved numerically and the resulting solutions will be validated against available experimental discharge data. An analysis of the governing parameters of the model will allow us to investigate the key mechanisms that determine the active material utilization in these electrodes. Such information is vital to battery companies as they grapple with the question of designing optimum electric vehicle power sources.
This project is motivated by a current industrial research collaboration with an Australian nanotechnology company and students working on this project will have the opportunity to interact with a team of researchers at QUT as well as industrial partners from the nanotechnology industry.
- Study level
- Honours
- Supervisors
- QUT
- Organisational unit
Science and Engineering Faculty
- Research area
- Contact
- Please contact the supervisor.
Associate Professor Troy Farrell
