Multi-phase, Multi-physics Modeling of Interfacial Phenomena in Electrochemical Energy Storage Systems

Abstract: Chemical-physical processes at material interfaces drive performance and degradation in various energy and environmental systems, such as high energy density batteries, carbon capture reactors, and water filtration. In this talk, I will discuss our research into computational modeling of interfacial and surface phenomena that drive performance in high energy density lithium batteries. Over multiple charge/discharge cycles non-uniform lithium plating and secondary reactions at the interface drive performance degradation and pose safety risks. The interplay between local transport, surface conditions, and operating conditions dictate these interfacial changes. In our work we use multi-phase, meso-scale modeling of the interfacial region to understand the driving forces for these changes and the coupling between physical phenomena to better understand the critical physics at the interface and to design more stable, long lasting interfaces.

Bio: Professor Emily Ryan is an Associate Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering and the Division of Materials Science and Engineering, a Founding Faculty Member of the Faculty of Computing and Data Sciences, and an Associate Director of the Institute for Global Sustainability at Boston University. She received her Ph.D. in mechanical engineering from Carnegie Mellon University in 2009. After graduating from Carnegie Mellon she worked as a post-doctoral research associate and staff computational scientist in the Computational Mathematics and Engineering group at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. Since joining Boston University in 2012, she founded the Computational Energy Laboratory, which focuses on the development of computational models of advanced energy systems, including batteries, fuel cells, carbon capture technologies, and fuel injectors, and BU’s Energy and Sustainable Technologies collaborative laboratory bringing together faculty across BU working to advance sustainability. Her research is funded through the National Science Foundation, the Department of Energy, state of Massachusetts, foundations, and industry. 

All seminars are held on Wednesdays from 12:30 -1:30p.m. in the Bowen Hall Auditorium Room 222.   A light lunch is provided at 12:00p.m. in the Bowen Hall Atrium immediately prior to the seminar.