For info on how to attend via videoconference, email peiyu.wang.th@dartmouth.edu

Abstract: Lithium-ion batteries have been extensively employed in portable electronics and electric vehicles because of their high energy/power density. However, they inevitably suffer from severe energy/power losses in cold environments, especially when temperatures drop below −20 °C. Such poor low-temperature performance limits their applications for aeronautics/space missions, polar expeditions, and many military and civil facilities in cold regions, in which a battery operating temperature below −40 °C is typically required. Therefore, improving the battery performance (energy density, rate capability, and lifetime) at low temperatures requires exploiting new battery materials and chemistries to minimize the need for ancillary thermal systems. In this thesis work, I will present our efforts to realize diverse lithium battery systems, including lithium-ion, lithium-metal, and lithium-sulfur chemistries, with a wide operating temperature range through innovative electrolyte and electrode engineering.

Thesis Committee:  

• Prof. Weiyang (Fiona) Li (Chair)
• Prof. Jifeng Liu
• Prof. William Scheideler
• Prof. Hai Wang (Stanford University)