Chemistry Seminar Series: Steen B. Schougaard

Thursday, March 11, 2021 1:30 pm - 1:30 pm EST (GMT -05:00)

Ion Transport in Batteries – Why Is It So Difficult ?

Steen B. Schougaard 
Professor and Chair
Department of Chemistry
Université du Québec à Montréal

Thursday, March 11, 2021
1:30 p.m.
Online

Abstract

“Why does it take so long to charge my car, my phone, my computer, my  ......?” this is the type of question that we are trying to answer. Specifically, we will consider ion transport and why it is one of the major challenges in high power operation of Li-ion batteries. When studying ion transport, measurements must be completed in situ, which require the development of new analytical methods that allow us to characterise ionic transport across scales: from the single active particle, over the electrode up to the full cell scale. Finally, we will give an example where recycled materials offer a unique opportunity to improve electrode level performance, in part due to improved ionic conduction.

Fig. Operando X-ray fluorescence (XRF) 
for concentration gradient determination


Steen B. Schougaard, is the Chair of the Chemistry Department and professor of Inorganic Chemistry at the Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM). A native of Denmark, he received his Ph.D. from the University of Texas at Austin, followed by a Postdoctoral Fellowship with Prof. Goodenough and a staff researcher position at RISØ Danish national laboratory, wherefrom he was recruited to UQAM. At the UQAM, he has developed in close collaboration with industry a research program around lithium-ion batteries, which include atomistic to mesoscale modeling, conducting polymer based electrodes, scanning electrochemical probes and advanced in situ characterization techniques requiring synchrotron radiation.