Institute of Solid State Physics


SS22WS22SS23WS23SS24WS24      Guidelines for Master Students

Modeling of Ion Transport in Solid-State Battery Materials
David Ritter
TDK Epcos GmbH & ICTM TU GRAZ
12:00 - 12:30 Wednesday 16 December 2020 online event

Video: https://bigmail.tugraz.at/outgoing/david_ritter_181200_7115/936_en.html

The drive towards miniaturization raises challenging demands in terms of materials, device performance and mass production. For instance, special power supplies are required for state-of-the-art ultra-low power electronic sensors. It is expected that reliability and performance will increase with the development of new solid-state batteries. These smart-sensor devices must be able to function independently of external power sources for years by taking advantage of the emerging energy harvest technologies.
This Master Thesis work is carried out in the new research field of solid-state batteries. Their advantages include a robust design, scalability, easy assembly, no toxic electrolyte leakage, no fire hazard, no risk of explosion and no need to replace batteries thanks to their extended lifetime.
However, the assembly of solid-state batteries is technologically demanding and many parameters influence the process. Consequently, detailed knowledge on charge carrier transport (ions and electrons) in this new complex environment is paramount to the successful development of an industrial solid-state battery technology.
By taking advantage of the modern computing technology, a dedicated simulation tool for the newly designed solid-state battery is currently being developed. The focus is placed on the ion transport in battery materials and on further optimization of the simulation tool.
The aim of the master thesis is to simulate the effects of the individual phenomena in the battery materials in order to maximize the efficiency of the battery. This approach enables the development of an independent, highly reliable and competitive solid-state power supply product.