Search Results (194)

The increasing depletion of fossil fuels and their environmental impact have led to the development of fuel cell hybrid electric vehicles. By combining fuel cells with batteries, these vehicles offer greater efficiency and zero emissions. However, their energy management remains a challenge requiring advanced strategies. This paper presents a comparative study of two developed energy management strategies: a deterministic rule-based approach and a fuzzy logic approach. The proposed system consists of a proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) as the primary energy source and a lithium-ion battery as the secondary source. A comprehensive model of the hybrid powertrain is developed to evaluate energy distribution and system behaviour. The control system includes a model predictive control (MPC) method for fuel cell current regulation and a PI controller to maintain DC bus voltage stability. The proposed strategies are evaluated under standard driving cycles (UDDS and NEDC) using a simulation in MATLAB/Simulink. Key performance indicators such as fuel efficiency, hydrogen consumption, battery state-of-charge, and voltage stability are examined to assess the effectiveness of each approach. Simulation results demonstrate that the deterministic strategy offers a structured and computationally efficient solution, while the fuzzy logic approach provides greater adaptability to dynamic driving conditions, leading to improved overall energy efficiency. These findings highlight the critical role of advanced control strategies in improving FCHEV performance and offer valuable insights for future developments in hybrid-vehicle energy management. Full article

In most commercial lithium-ion batteries, graphite remains the primary anode material. However, its theoretical specific capacity is only 372 mAh∙g⁻¹, which falls short of meeting the demands of high-performance electronic devices. Silicon anodes, despite boasting an ultra-high theoretical specific capacity of 4200 mAh∙g⁻¹, suffer from significant volume expansion (>300%) during cycling, leading to severe capacity fade and limiting their commercial viability. Currently, silicon-based polymer-derived ceramics have emerged as a highly promising next-generation anode material for lithium-ion batteries, thanks to their unique nano-cluster structure, tunable composition, and low volume expansion characteristics. The maximum capacity of the ceramics can exceed 1000 mAh∙g⁻¹, and their unique synthesis routes enable customization to align with diverse electrochemical application requirements. In this paper, we present the progress of silicon oxycarbide (SiOC), silicon carbonitride (SiCN), silicon boron carbonitride (SiBCN) and silicon oxycarbonitride (SiOCN) in the field of LIBs, including their synthesis, structural characteristics and electrochemical properties, etc. The mechanisms of lithium-ion storage in the Si-based anode materials are summarized as well, including the key role of free carbon in these materials. Full article

Accelerated industrialization and surging energy demands have led to continuously rising atmospheric CO₂ concentrations. Developing sustainable methods to reduce atmospheric CO₂ levels is crucial for achieving carbon neutrality. Concurrently, the rapid development of new energy vehicles has driven a significant increase in demand for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), which are now approaching an end-of-life peak. Efficient recycling of valuable metals from spent LIBs represents a critical challenge. This study employs conventional hydrometallurgical processing to recover valuable metals from spent LIBs. Subsequently, Ni-doped Co₃O₄ (Ni:Co₃O₄) supported on the natural mineral attapulgite (ATP) was synthesized via a sol–gel method. The incorporation of a small amount of Ni into the Co₃O₄ lattice generates oxygen vacancies, inducing a localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) effect, which significantly enhances charge carrier transport and separation efficiency. During the photocatalytic reduction of CO₂, the primary product CO generated by the Ni:Co₃O₄/ATP composite achieved a high production rate of 30.1 μmol·g⁻¹·h⁻¹. Furthermore, the composite maintains robust catalytic activity even after five consecutive reaction cycles. Full article

The improvement of environmental conditions has become a priority for governments and legislators. New electrified mobility systems are increasingly present in our environment, as they enable the reduction of polluting emissions. Electric vehicles (EVs) are one of the fastest-growing alternatives to date, with exponential growth expected over the next few years. In this article, the various charging modes for EVs are explored, and the risks associated with charging technologies are analysed, particularly for charging systems in high-power DC with Lithium battery energy storage, given their long market deployment and characteristic behaviour. In particular, the Arc Flash (AF) risk present in high-power DC chargers will be studied, involving numerous simulations of the charging process. Subsequently, the Incident Energy (IE) analysis is carried out at different specific points of a commercial high-power ‘Mode 4’ charger. For this purpose, different analysis methods of recognised prestige, such as Doan, Paukert, or Stokes and Oppenlander, are applied, using the latest version of the ETAP^® simulation tool version 22.5.0. This study focuses on quantifying the potential severity (consequences) of an AF event, assuming its occurrence, rather than performing a probabilistic risk assessment according to standard methodologies. The primary objective of this research is to comprehensively quantify the potential consequences for workers involved in the operation, maintenance, repair, and execution of tasks related to EV charging systems. This analysis makes it possible to provide safe working conditions and to choose the appropriate and necessary personal protective equipment (PPE) for each type of operation. It is essential to develop this novel process to quantify the consequences of AF and to protect the end users of EV charging systems. Full article

To enhance the specific energy and rate performance of lithium primary batteries, the development of advanced cathode materials with superior electrochemical properties is essential. Fluorides, composed of light fluorine elements and multivalent cations, exhibit multi-electron reaction characteristics, possess a high theoretical voltage, and demonstrate high discharge-specific energy. However, owing to fluorine’s high electronegativity, which leads to the formation of strong ionic bonds with other elements, most fluorides exhibit poor electronic conductivity, thereby constraining their electrochemical performance when used as cathode materials. Copper fluoride (CuF₂) exhibits a high theoretical specific capacity and discharge voltage but is constrained by its large bandgap, poor electronic conductivity, and difficulties in synthesizing anhydrous CuF₂ materials, which significantly limit its electrochemical activity. In this study, zinc (Zn) was chosen as a dopant for copper fluoride. By combining theoretical calculations with experimental validation, the impacts of Zn doping on the structural stability and electrochemical performance of copper fluoride were comprehensively analyzed. The resultant highly active Zn-doped copper fluoride achieved a discharge specific capacity of 528.6 mAh/g at 0.1 C and 489.1 mAh/g at 1 C, showcasing superior discharge-specific energy and good rate performance. This material holds great potential as a promising cathode candidate for lithium batteries, providing both high specific energy and power density. Full article

This study presents the design and techno-economic comparison of two standalone photovoltaic (PV) systems, each supplying a 1 kW critical load with 100% reliability under Cairo’s climatic conditions. These systems are modeled for both the constant and the night load scenarios, accounting for the worst-case weather conditions involving 3.5 consecutive cloudy days. The primary comparison focuses on traditional lead-acid battery storage versus green hydrogen storage via electrolysis, compression, and fuel cell reconversion. Both the configurations are simulated using a Python-based tool that calculates hourly energy balance, component sizing, and economic performance over a 21-year project lifetime. The results show that the PV/H₂ system significantly outperforms the PV/lead-acid battery system in both the cost and the reliability. For the constant load, the Levelized Cost of Electricity (LCOE) drops from 0.52 USD/kWh to 0.23 USD/kWh (a 56% reduction), and the payback period is shortened from 16 to 7 years. For the night load, the LCOE improves from 0.67 to 0.36 USD/kWh (a 46% reduction). A supplementary cost analysis using lithium-ion batteries was also conducted. While Li-ion improves the economics compared to lead-acid (LCOE of 0.41 USD/kWh for the constant load and 0.49 USD/kWh for the night load), this represents a 21% and a 27% reduction, respectively. However, the green hydrogen system remains the most cost-effective and scalable storage solution for achieving 100% reliability in critical off-grid applications. These findings highlight the potential of green hydrogen as a sustainable and economically viable energy storage pathway, capable of reducing energy costs while ensuring long-term resilience. Full article

Lithium-ion battery lifetime prediction traditionally relies on extensive full-cycle testing, which is costly and time-consuming. This paper proposes a novel framework for strategic sample optimization that significantly reduces testing requirements while preserving the ability to capture key degradation patterns. The approach combines combinatorial analysis with model-informed selection to identify a minimal yet representative subset of test conditions that span the primary stress axes, temperature, depth of discharge, and charge rate. A recent predictive modeling technique is then used to validate that the selected samples enable accurate lifetime estimation. Results demonstrate that as few as 3 samples (11% of the original 27-sample dataset) can achieve prediction errors below 2%, reducing cycling costs by approximately 90%. This framework offers a scalable solution for battery developers seeking to streamline accelerated aging protocols. Future work will extend the methodology to additional publicly available datasets to assess its generalizability across chemistries and use cases. Full article

In this study, the lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery type, which has a high-power density and utilizes lithium as the primary conductive terminal, has been employed. Within the scope of this research, a one-dimensional isothermal Li-ion battery model has been investigated under various electrolyte (both liquid and solid) and electrode materials using the COMSOL Multiphysics software. The obtained simulation results have been corroborated with information sourced from the literature and establish a foundational framework for future studies. The average range of electrolyte salt concentration in battery components is slightly higher for batteries utilizing polymer electrolytes compared to those with liquid electrolytes. During discharge at five different C-rates, Li-ion batteries with liquid electrolytes displayed higher voltage than those with polymer electrolytes. On the other hand, the one with the lithium iron phosphate (LFP) positive electrode exhibits the greatest variation in lithium concentration at the surface of the positive electrode at the end of discharge. Conversely, the battery using a LiNiO₂ cathode shows the smallest surface lithium concentration variation during the same period. This pattern is similarly observed for the lithium concentration at the center of the electrode particles. The presented model can be used to explore innovative electrolyte and electrode materials to improve the design of Li-ion batteries. Full article

Recently, electric vehicles (EVs) have proven to be a practical option for lowering greenhouse gas emissions and reducing reliance on fossil fuels. Lithium-ion batteries, at the core of this innovation, require efficient thermal management to ensure optimal performance, safety, and durability. This article reviews current scientific studies on controlling the temperature of lithium-ion batteries used in electric vehicles. Several cooling strategies are discussed, including air cooling, liquid cooling, the use of phase change materials (PCMs), and hybrids that combine these three types of cooling, with the primary objective of enhancing the thermal performance of the batteries. Additionally, the challenges and proposed solutions in battery pack design and energy management methodologies are explored. As the demand for electric vehicles increases, improving battery thermal management systems (BTMSs) is becoming increasingly important. Implementing and developing better BTMSs will help increase the autonomy and safety of electric vehicles in the long term. Full article

Lithium-ion batteries are the primary power source for new energy vehicles, making accurate estimation of their state of health (SOH) essential for ensuring the safe operation of battery systems. This paper proposes a Capacity–Power Analysis (CPA) method that incorporates temperature features to enhance feature extraction across a broader range. Additionally, we introduce an SOH estimation method for lithium batteries based on a Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) and a Kolmogorov–Arnold Network (KAN). By extracting the capacity–power curve and average temperature features during constant-current and constant-voltage charging, the CNN-KAN model establishes a nonlinear mapping relationship between the extracted features and SOH, enabling high-precision SOH estimation for lithium-ion batteries. Four 18650 batteries were tested under various charging and discharging conditions in a laboratory setting. The coefficient of determination (R²) exceeded 96.4%, the root mean square error (RMSE) was below 0.86%, and the mean absolute error (MAE) was under 0.7%, confirming that the proposed method demonstrates excellent estimation performance. Full article

Electric vehicles have recently gained greater attention across all countries for transportation purposes in on-road and off-road forms due to their supreme performance and clean eco-friendliness status. Lithium-ferrous phosphate batteries are the primary energy storage devices in electric vehicles due to their higher energy density, longer lifespan, and lower self-discharge rate. They also possess several technical advantages, including a wider range of applications, economic affordability, an environmentally friendly nature, and, most importantly, superior electrochemical performance, which makes them a strong competitor to lead acid batteries. In the present study, a performance and health assessment of a lithium ferrous phosphate battery (LFP) pack consisting of 23 cells connected in series balancing mode with a 7360 Wh maximum energy storage capacity has been carried out at various current ranges of operation such as 3 A, 5 A, and 8 A in a typically developed battery management system to estimate their optimized performance and overall health conditions. Further study has been conducted to investigate the characteristics of LFP packs under various power-mode conditions, ranging from 20 W to 750 W. This experimental study revealed that the LFP battery pack exhibits a remarkable state-of-charge capability, achieving 58% charging in a 3.3-h runtime period. A similar decreasing trend was also observed during power-mode operations. Furthermore, the LFP battery pack was fully charged after achieving a 50% State of Charge (SOC) under every current-mode condition, providing reliable outputs under the loading conditions. It is also stated that the state of health of the lithium ferrous phosphate is significantly higher at 92% during the entire investigation, which reflects the good thermal stability of the LFP battery pack for temperature variations from 26 °C to 31 °C. Finally, it is concluded that the LFP could be one of the most favourable energy storage systems due to its longer lifespan and its great affordability in automotive applications. Full article

Sn-based anodes for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) offer high capacity and low cost; however, significant volume changes during lithiation/delithiation cause mechanical degradation, limiting their practical applications. Microstructural control is a key approach to mitigating these volume changes. This study reports the fabrication of core (Sn rod)-shell (mesoporous Sn-oxide layer) structures through electrodeposition followed by anodization, and their applications to anode active materials for LIBs. First, micro-Sn rods with controlled lengths and diameters were fabricated under various electrodeposition conditions. The electrodeposited Sn exhibited a dendritic structure with short secondary rods branching from a long primary rod. While the primary Sn rod diameters remained constant, the secondary rod diameters varied depending on electrodeposition parameters. Notably, rod coarsening due to secondary rod agglomeration occurred at higher currents and longer deposition durations during galvanostatic electrodeposition. In contrast, potentiostatic electrodeposition prevented agglomeration and increased the quantity of Sn rods with voltage. Subsequently, the core-shell structures were fabricated by anodizing Sn rods, forming mesoporous Sn-oxide layers with different pore sizes and pore wall thicknesses. Electrochemical characterization revealed that the core-shell anode performance for LIBs varied with the Sn-oxide shell’s microstructure. These findings provide insights into optimal core-shell structures to improve anode performance for LIBs. Full article

The rising demand for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), driven by the growing consumption of electronic devices and the expansion of electric vehicles, is leading to a concerning depletion of primary metal resources and a significant accumulation of electronic waste. This urgent challenge highlights the need for sustainable recovery methods to extract valuable metals from spent LIBs, aligning with circular economy principles. In this study, the preparation of spent batteries for the bioleaching process was achieved with minimal manipulation. This included a preliminary discharge to ensure safety in subsequent processes and a brief crushing to facilitate the access of leaching agents to valuable metals. Unlike most studies that grind batteries to obtain powders between 70 and 200 microns, our approach works with particles sized around 5 mm. Additionally, our preparation process avoids any thermal or chemical treatments. This straightforward pre-treatment process marks a significant advancement by reducing the complexity and cost of processing. A systematic study was conducted on various fractions of the large particle sizes, using Fe (III) produced through bio-oxidation by A. ferrooxidans and biogenically obtained H2SO4 from A. thiooxidans. The highest metal extraction rates were achieved using the unsorted fraction, directly obtained from the black mass after the grinding process, without additional particle separation. When treated with bio-oxidized Fe (III), this fraction achieved a 95% recovery of Cu, Ni, and Al within 20 min, and over 90% recovery of Co, Mn, and Li within approximately 30 min. These recovery rates are attributed to the combined reducing power of Al and Cu already present in the black mass and the Fe (II) generated during the oxidation reactions of metallic Cu and Al. These elements actively facilitate the reduction of transition metal oxides into their more soluble, lower-valence states, enhancing the overall metal solubilization process. The extraction was carried out at room temperature in an acidic medium with a pH no lower than 1.5. These results demonstrate significant potential for efficient metal recovery from spent batteries with minimal pre-treatment, minimizing environmental impact. Additionally, the simplified residue preparation process can be easily integrated into existing waste management facilities without the need for additional equipment. Full article

Li/graphite fluoride (Li/CF_x) batteries display the highest energy densities among those of commercially available primary Li batteries but fail to satisfy the high-performance requirements of advanced applications. To address this drawback, two liquid organic dinitrates, namely, 1,4-butanediol dinitrate (BDE) and 2,2,3,3-tetrafluoro-1,4-butanediol dinitrate (TBD), were employed as high-energy energetic materials, and they were highly compatible with the electrolytes of Li/CF_x batteries. The use of Super P electrodes confirmed that the reduction reaction mechanisms of both nitrate ester-based compounds delivered considerable specific capacities, associated with discharge potentials matching that of the Li/CF_x battery. When considering the combined mass of the electrolyte and cathode as the active material, the overall energy densities of the Li/CF_x batteries increased by 25.3% (TBD) and 20.8% (BDE), reaching 1005.50 and 969.1 Wh/kg, respectively. The superior performance of TBD was due to the synergistic effects of the high electronegativities and levels of steric hindrance of the F atoms. Moreover, the nanocrystal LiF particles generated by TBD induced crack formation within the fluorinated graphite, increasing the lithium-ion accessible surface area and enhancing its utilization efficiency. These combined factors enhanced the reactivity of TBD and facilitated its involvement in electrochemical reactions, thus improving the capacity of the battery. The developed strategy enables the facile, cost-effective enhancement of the capacities of Li/CF_x batteries, paving the way for their practical use in energy-demanding devices. Full article

In response to the increasingly serious global warming crisis, new energy batteries have progressively replaced highly polluting primary energy sources. Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) are widely implemented due to their high safety and energy density. Although LIBs exhibit enhanced safety features, significant fire risks persist during thermal runaway (TR) events occurring in charging/discharging processes. To elucidate dual-parallel jelly-roll architecture TR characteristics of LIBs under varied operational conditions, this study integrates theoretical analysis with experimental methods, conducting thermal abuse tests under four distinct working conditions: open circuit, constant-current charging, constant-voltage charging, and discharging. The results demonstrate substantial differences in TR characteristics across operational conditions. A thermodynamic equilibrium-based triggering model proved capable of qualitatively evaluating TR risk levels under these conditions. Furthermore, the established TR triggering model reveals that the intensified Joule heating and polarization effects during constant-current charging account for its elevated fire risk compared to other states. These findings provide operational guidelines for optimizing safety strategies in energy storage power stations. Full article