C9268 - BATTERIES MATERIALS ENGINEERING

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course, the student will be aware of battery materials engineering fundamentals, from well-established metal-based solutions (i.e. lithium, cobalt, nickel, and graphite), towards the new perspectives of Organic Electrode Materials (OEMs) and nanomaterials. The full value chain of battery materials will be explored (sourcing, supply, processing, manufacturing and recycling)

Course contents

1. Principles of a Circular Economy for Batteries

a. Definition of Circular Economy

b. Battery Material Flows

c. Principles of Battery Design for Circularity and Sustainability: Advantages and Importance in the Energy Transition

d. Circular Economy in the EU Battery Regulation

2. Battery Energy Storage Systems

a. Integrated management systems

b. Lifetime

c. End-of-life management

3. Economics and Materials of Present Batteries

a. Battery Cathode Materials and the Associated Supply Risks

b. Lithium-Ion Battery Recycling

c. Current Safety Concerns of End-of-Life Batteries

4. Future Battery Chemistries in the Framework of Sustainability

a. Market Entry of New Battery Technologies

b. Overview of Target KPIs for Batteries

c. Innovative Cell Chemistries

d. Cell Design and Manufacturing Processes

e. Innovative Battery Systems and End Use

f. Raw Materials for Innovative Batteries, Recycling and Sustainability

5. Recent advances of functional nanomaterials for rechargeable lithium-ion batteries: opportunities and challenges

6. Emerging Materials: Nanoporous silicon materials, Mixed transition metal oxides, Metal-Organic-Frameworks, Metal-Oxide Nanocrystals

7. New polymer [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polymer] -based battery [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battery_(electricity)] materials: Redox active polymers

8. Innovative materials for flexible batteries

Readings/Bibliography

Colin Tong, Advanced Energy Materials for Flexible Batteries, Springer Series in Materials Science, Volume 349- ISBN 978-3-031-83970-2 https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-83971-9

Advanced Materials for Batteries: Advantage, Disadvantage, and Future Applications. Edited By Dinesh Kumar, Rekha Sharma, Sapna Nehra. ISBN 9781032631332, 2024 CRC Press

Electronic material provided by the instructor and used during lectures; made available on Virtuale.Unibo.it in PDF format, downloadable with a password.

Teaching methods

In-class lectures.
Attendance is strongly recommended, as the fundamental concepts covered in the exam questions will be repeatedly emphasized during lectures.

Assessment methods

Assessment of learning outcomes takes place via a final exam consisting of two consecutive parts:
1. Written exam: This comprises three questions designed to test mastery of the fundamental concepts covered in the course. Each answer is graded on a scale of 10, allowing for a maximum score of 30/30 for this part (Part 1: Written Exam). The score achieved determines eligibility for Part 2 (Oral Exam).
2. Oral exam: Students may only take this part if they have achieved a minimum score of 18/30 on Part 1 (Written Exam). The Oral Exam consists of a discussion on topics covered in class that were not included in Part 1 (Written Exam).

If the minimum score of 18/30 required to proceed to the Oral Exam is not achieved on the Written Exam, the written test must be retaken; under no circumstances can the Written Exam be replaced solely by the Oral Exam. There are no restrictions on retaking the written test.
Both the written test and the oral test must be taken during the same exam session (i.e., the written test score does not remain valid across different exam sessions).


STUDENTS WITH SPECIFIC LEARNING DISORDERS (SLD) OR TEMPORARY/PERMANENT DISABILITIES


Students are advised to contact the relevant University office (https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/it) well in advance. That office will propose any necessary accommodations to the students concerned; these proposals must be submitted to the lecturer for approval at least 15 days beforehand, so that their appropriateness can be assessed in relation to the course's learning objectives.


In accordance with the University Code of Ethics, students are reminded of the importance of maintaining the highest standards of integrity. Any activity aimed at improperly altering the outcome of the exams (e.g., copying, plagiarism, accessing online educational resources, using unauthorized AI tools) is prohibited. Please note, in particular, that the mere possession of unauthorized equipment or materials during the exam will result in the immediate annulment of the test and a report to the relevant offices.
Conduct violating this prohibition may lead to disciplinary proceedings or reports to the competent authorities if the actions constitute a criminal offense; in the latter case, the students involved risk facing criminal prosecution.

Teaching tools

Classes utilize PCs, tablets, and video projectors to present slides (made available on the VIRTUALE platform prior to each lesson) and educational videos.


Attendance is recommended to better grasp the fundamental concepts.


Any necessary accommodations for students with disabilities can be arranged in consultation with the Service for Students with Specific Learning Disorders (DSA).

Office hours

See the website of Paola Fabbri