DrFarid Tariq

Visiting Researcher

Department of Earth Science & Engineering - Faculty of Engineering

BIO

3D Multiscale Imaging and Modelling of Fuel Cells & Batteries
Electrochemical Devices such as fuel cells and batteries are often inadequately described using 2-D imaging and furthermore their properties can depend on their structure on multiple length scales. However, several tomographic techniques can be combined to investigate structures spanning 4-6 orders of magnitude. This can be increased to 4-D with time resolved tomography, to see changes in systems as they occur (http://eel.ecsdl.org/content/3/7/A76.full.pdf+html) under operation at high resolutions. An example of in-operando microscopy for a lithium-ion based battery is shown below with delamination (yellow) visible through the electrode (transparency).



Energy demands continue to increase and we increasingly demand power for items as diverse as home heat/light, cars, mobile phones and electronic implants. Electrochemical devices such as Fuel Cells and Batteries can help meet these needs in a clean efficient manner. Currently, often optimisation of these functional materials has been driven empirically with little understanding of nano/micro structure and subsquent affect on performance.

Three dimensional imaging technqiues such as tomography can be applied to fuel cells & batteries to overcome these problems. Combining multiple tomographic techniques together, termed Multiscale Tomography can help overcome FOV/resolution trade-offs as each tompgraphy technique provides optimal information for particular sizes/volumes (http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.actamat.2010.12.012 & http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jpowsour.2013.08.147).





Consquently, it is possible to probe structures within Fuel Cells and Batteries, and use this for quantification of shape, size, structures and morphology at nano/micro scale resolutions (NiO figure: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ssi.2011.10.015). These complex structures can be subsequently meshed and used as geometric inputs for modelling (electrochemistry, fluid flow, stresses, heating, etc.) either individually or in a multi-physics approach. The techniques can be applied to many different types of functional materials or electrochemical devices (flow figure:http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ces.2011.07.034).

This combined micoscopy/modelling and experimental approach can help in providing us powerful new insights for structure-property-behaviour relationships within electrodes; vital if better fuel cells and batteries are to be developed for meeting our future energy needs.

Membership of Professional Bodies
ProfGrad IMMM (IOM3)

Member of ECS

Measures of esteem
David West Prize for Phase Diagrams, 2006

RMS Poster Prize for layout, content and presentation, 2007

PG Poster Prize for Scientific Content, 2009

RDC Prize for Innovative Thinking into Research Applications, 2008

AMS Young Engineer/Scientist Prize, 2006 & 2010

Various bursaries and travel grants including FEI Company for Microscopy & 3D Electron Microscopy

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FACULTY

  • Faculty of Engineering

POSITION NAME

  • Visiting Researcher

FIELDS OF RESEARCH