Electrochemical energy conversion and storage

Developing measurement and modelling techniques to maximise the performance, durability and safety of the next generation of environmentally-friendly energy devices

We work closely with the research community and industry to develop advanced measurement techniques, modelling tools and standard test methods as part of government-supported goals for improving fuel cell, electrolyser and battery systems. These electrochemical devices, including batteries, fuel cells and electrolysers, show great promise for large-scale energy conversion and storage applications.

Rechargeable batteries, such as the ubiquitous lithium-ion battery, store a certain amount of chemical energy that can be converted to electrical energy and then recharged for re-use. Electrolysers use electrical energy to split water to hydrogen, while fuel cells recover electrical energy by combining hydrogen as a fuel with oxygen, with water as the only by-product.

All these devices contribute to a future carbon-neutral energy infrastructure, by providing portable, carbon-free energy sources, or for use in vehicles like hydrogen-powered cars. Temporary energy storage using electrochemical devices also helps resolve issues of intermittent electricity supply from renewable energy sources such as solar and wind power. For batteries and fuel cells to effectively displace established fossil fuel technologies, however, we must decrease their cost, increase their performance and improve their safety, durability and recyclability.

Our recent research towards these goals has led to:

• Development of an in situ reference electrode allowing, for the first time, a spatial map of electrode potential across an operating polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell (PEMFC)
• Redefinition of screening test conditions for metallic bipolar plates based on in situ measurement of corrosion potential
• Synchrotron imaging of lithium-ion batteries during thermal runaway
• Publication of reports on highest priority measurement needs in the battery and fuel cell industries
• Development of multiphysics modelling approaches and fundamental theory describing mass, charge and heat transport processes in batteries and fuel cells

Our government-funded research is guided by an Industrial Advisory Group, which ensures our work is closely guided by current and future industry needs. We maintain strong collaborative links with academia and are active in a number of research projects, including:

• Horizon 2020 HYDRAITE project on hydrogen gas purity standards
• Project VALUABLE, a UK consortium to develop testing and measurement towards recycling, reuse and remanufacturing of automotive Li-ion batteries at their end-of-life
• European Metrology Research Project LibForSecUse on standardisation of impedance measurements on Li-ion batteries for 'second life' applications.

Hear more about the ‘State-of-health diagnosis of aged batteries’ from the keynote talk at the COMSOL Conference 2019.

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