Structural and Interfacial Challenges in Energy Storage Systems

ABSTRACT:  Rapid growth of electric vehicles has stimulated the development of high-energy storage systems, especially the lithium–sulfur and lithium–air batteries that employ lithium metal anodes. However, the wide deployment of Li-metal batteries has been hindered by its poor cycling efficiency and safety concerns, both of which stem from the uncontrollable Li deposition-stripping process. This talk will discuss the deposition-stripping mechanism of Li metal in batteries. The understanding of the electro-crystallization and stripping beneath interface process explains the long-lasting puzzle of Lithium pulverization and provides invaluable insights for future lithium anode and electrolyte design.

BIOGRAPHY:  Dr. Feifei Shi currently serves as Assistant Professor of Energy Engineering in the John and Willie Leone Family Department of Energy and Mineral Engineering. Dr Shi’s research interests lie broadly at the intersection of surface chemistry, material science and mechanical engineering, with emphasis on integrated energy systems, i.e. innovation in conversion, storage, transport and consumption systems. She holds a B.S. degree in Chemistry from Fudan University, China in 2010, and Ph.D. degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of California, Berkeley in 2015. Before joining Penn State on August 2019, Dr. Shi was a postdoctoral researcher in Material Science and Engineering department, Stanford University from 2016-2019.