Department of Mechanical Engineering

University of Michigan

Ann Arbor, MI

 

The electrification of the drivetrain is crucial to solve our energy problems and fill the gap to sustainable and zero emission mobility. We are now within reach of mass-marketed vehicles using Li-based batteries. Full engineering analysis of batteries and battery systems must be regularized, and engineering development is needed to allow creation of products and tools for integration of battery systems into vehicles. Electric Vehicles (EV) and Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEV) face significant battery-related challenges, including limited driving range and high battery cost resulting from the capacity fade of batteries during usage. The prediction of capacity fade and lifetime of batteries is important for cell design, determination of the optimal operation condition and control, and cell maintenance. Various mechanisms contribute to capacity fade. An integrated approach considering different aspects of the fading mechanisms is necessary. In this talk I will present some of our recent work in these areas, including a comprehensive capacity fade model and its experimental validation and application for battery optimization; a multiscale approach that couples mechanics and electrochemistry consistently at both particle and electrode scales which enables simulating various electrode phenomena, and its validation against explicit simulation of particle networks; and simulation of concurrent dendrite growth, SEI formation and penetration of lithium metal electrodes. The materials strategy for improving the battery performance and application of machine learning for battery design will also be discussed.

Bio: Dr. Wei Lu is Professor at the Mechanical Engineering Department, University of Michigan (UM), Ann Arbor, and Director of the research center: Advanced Battery Coalition for Drivetrains (ABCD). Prof. Lu uses multi-scale and multi-physics modeling and experimental approaches to address emerging challenges in energy, nanomechanics, and advanced manufacturing. Examples include mechanical electrochemical processes in Li-ion battery systems, self-assembled nanostructures and their applications, and morphological evolution and properties of nano/micro scale structures. Prof. Lu has over 130 publications in peer-reviewed scientific journals and gave over 100 presentations and invited talks in international conferences, universities and national labs including Harvard, MIT and Stanford; and at other prestigious institutions worldwide. He also has plenty of publications in conference proceedings, encyclopedias and book chapters. Prof. Lu was the recipient of many awards including the Robert M. Caddell Memorial Research Achievement Award, the CAREER award by the US National Science Foundation, the Robert J. McGrattan Award by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, the Faculty Recognition Award, Elected Fellow of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, Department Achievement Award, Distinguished Professor Award, Novelis and College of Engineering, CoE Ted Kennedy Family Faculty Team Excellence Award, and the Gustus L Larson Memorial Award, American Society of Mechanical Engineers. He was invited to the National Academies Keck Futures Initiative Conference multiple times.