Seminar

Lithium-ion Batteries for Energy Storage: A Materials Perspective

8 August 2022
9 August 2022
Start time 
11:00 am
Polo Ferrari 2 - Via Sommarive 9, Povo (Trento)

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Seminar room
Target audience: 
University community
Attendance: 
Free
dii.supportstaff@unitn.it
Speaker: 
Prof. Cyrus Zamani, School of Metallurgy and Materials Engineering, College of Engineering

Abstract

Life on the earth has been always energy-dependent. Today, with the world population exceeding 7.9 billion, the need to energy is sensed more than ever. The increasing demand to energy in one hand, and the fossil fuel-driven problems such as global warming on the other hand, have forced scientists shift toward renewable energies. However, managing energy from renewable resources requires efficient storage in the first step. Several systems/technologies have been developed/adopted for this purpose among which, electrochemical systems (including batteries) show the greatest promise. This course aims to provide the audience with the materials science of LiBs. The State-of-the-art of lithium-ion batteries as the leading storage systems will be discussed. The course targets graduate students. Although emphasis will be put on battery materials and structures, different aspects of LiBs (history, market, etc.) will be covered. Our team’s latest findings on energy storage materials (with the main focus on metal-ion batteries) will be presented and discussed during the course. Students are expected to have a basic knowledge of electrochemistry.
 

Programme

1st session – Monday August 8, 2022, 10.00 am – 1.00 pm

Introduction
  • Energy: Today, Tomorrow
  • The Global Situation
Energy Storage
  • Energy Storage and Its Importance
  • History of Energy Storage
  • Energy Storage Systems
Batteries
  • History of Batteries
  • Different Chemistries
Lithium-ion Batteries
  • Structure and Components
  • Working Principle
  • Electrode Mechanisms:
  • Insertion/Extraction, Alloying, Conversion

2nd session – August 9, 2022, 10.00 am – 1.00 pm

Anode Materials    
  • Synthesis/characterization/challenges
  • Graphite
  • Silicon and its Composites
  • Conversion (spinel structures)
  • Microstructure and morphologies
  • Electrochemical testing/behavior
Cathode Materials
  • Synthesis/characterization/challenges
  • Structures: Layered, Spinel
  • Materials: LFP, NMC, …
  • Microstructures and morphologies
  • Electrochemical testing/behavior

Course Materials and Readings

In preparation of this course, a series of project results obtained in our lab will be presented and discussed.
Several references are used. No single textbook covers the entire course. References will be introduced during each lecture.

Expected Outcomes

At the end of this course, the students will know about the state-of-the art of lithium-ion batteries, emphasizing on silicon composites (as anode), and layered and spinel cathode materials. 

Course Evaluation    

If participants will submit a a report on the course topics t the end of the Course, following the instructions provided at the beginning of the Course, they will be granted n. 1 A credit.
Otherwise, n.1 B credit will be issued to those who will just attend the Course without submitting any final report.

Bio-sketch

Cyrus Zamani received his PhD in molecular materials from Kyushu University in 2005 specializing in materials for chemical sensing. He joined the University of Barcelona (UB) within the framework of “Juan de la Cierva” program in 2006 where he was engaged in both teaching and research on advanced materials. Dr. Zamani started working for the University of Tehran (UT) in 2014 as academic member focusing on nanomaterials for energy. In addition to academic activities, he has been in executive positions such as director of AMCI institute (UT), director of XRD&XRF labs (RMRC) can be noted. Dr. Zamani is now an associate professor of UT.