Manufacturing Instrumented Lithium Ion Batteries
PhD
Industrial Supervisor: Chris Lyness (Jaguar Land Rover)
Academic Supervisor: Dr Rohit Bhagat, Dr Andrew Moore and Professor Richard Dashwood
Project Overview:
Lithium batteries are multi-material and component devices and experience a combination
of thermal, mechanical and electrical stimuli. These devices are usually sealed, making
internal examination difficult.
The Electrochemical Engineering group at WMG has state-of-the-art facilities to
manufacture lithium pouch cells from their base components. This facility gives the
unparalleled ability to insert sensors (thermal, mechanical, electrical etc.) during
manufacture to create smart lithium batteries. These smart batteries provide a powerful
means to assess the effect external stimuli and will be provide data allowing
electrical/mechanical/thermal/electrochemical models to be accurately parameterised.
This research has significant industrial impact allowing JLR battery packs to be optimised for
structural/electrical performance, lifetime, light weighting, cost, and design for remanufacture.
Objectives:
 Become familiar with types of sensors that may be used within lithium ion battery
pouch cells.
 Become familiar with the operation of the lithium ion batteries
 Learn how sensors can be applied during the manufacture of lithium ion batteries.
 Understand internal changes that may take place within cells under mechanical,
thermal or electrical load.
 Measure internal changes in the cell from external stimuli
Key Warwick Facilities
WMG’s Energy Innovation Centre provides the facility to take active materials, coat
electrodes, manufacture lithium pouch cells, and electrically and mechanically characterise
them.
Candidate Requirements:
Due to the source of funding, only UK or EU nationals are eligible for this position.
Applicants should have a good UK honours degree or equivalent in Electronics Engineering
or other relevant discipline. A demonstrable strong interest, or experience within the
degree areas of sensor technology and small signal analogue or RF electronics is desirable.
Experience of conducting experiments is also desirable.