Dynamic Multi-Dimensional Numerical Transport Study of Lithium-Ion Battery Active Material Microstructures for Automotive Applications

In support of GM's traction battery efforts, we derived and implemented a method to describe the electrochemical performance of a battery cell considering the nuances of the electrode microstructure at the anode and the cathode and the corresponding impact on the electrochemical transport in the solid and liquid phases. To assess the capability of the method, we compared model results from the microstructure framework with the commonly used continuum-level porous electrode model, commonly referred to as the pseudo-2-dimensional model, or the Newman Model. The microstructure modeling framework was applied to simulate the electrochemical and transport processes within the battery cell to predict the concentration gradients, local state-of-charge distributions, reaction distributions, and the overall terminal voltage of the system. In this report, we provide a commentary on the validity and practicality of the microstructure approach to drive battery cell design.