BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:-//Memento EPFL// BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:IMX Talks - The Role of Advanced Analytical Characterization in En ergy Storage Materials R&D DTSTART:20250228T133000 DTEND:20250228T143000 DTSTAMP:20260921T165626Z UID:c441242713b7fc0a4591f98c87a3fc8f0352b5b7dbb20958ba12ef3d CATEGORIES:Conferences - Seminars DESCRIPTION:Dr. Nikhilendra Singh\, Toyota Research Institute of North Ame rica\, Ann Arbor\, MI\, USA \nAdvances in hybrid and electric vehicle tech nologies combined with a demand for green initiatives continue to motivate necessary diversification in energy storage materials research & developm ent. New battery chemistries and systems which can provide greater range a nd power than the current state-of-art Lithium (Li)-ion battery\, are need ed. Additionally\, to achieve necessary standards for green initiatives fo r hybrid and electric vehicles\, a closer examination of the processes and materials involved in battery systems and their circularity\, is also cri tical. Examples of such Li-ion battery systems are those focused on the ut ilization of next-generation materials within a battery\, and the move tow ards closed-loop battery ecosystems to improve supply-chain risks. However \, the development of such systems is complicated at the fundamental level by process-driven impurities and chemical incompatibilities in current li quid battery systems.\nAmong additional strategies under consideration for energy storage diversification\, the use of solid-state electrolytes (inc lusive of polymers\, gels and conducting ceramics) stands out since the im plementation of solid-state electrolytes may potentially serve as a mechan ical barrier towards Li dendrite formation (and hence potentially subdue t hermal runaway events). However\, solid-state electrolytes exhibit lower i onic conductivities and display poor interfacial stability towards higher energy electrode materials. While optimizations to overcome such intrinsic challenges continue\, even less is known about the interfacial interactio ns between electrolytes and electrode materials. Since battery system inte rfaces eventually govern the performance and lifespan of a battery\, studi es into investigating and understanding these interactions also remain ess ential.\nHere\, we present an overview of select studies undertaken to inv estigate the interfacial interactions between various liquid and solid ele ctrolytes under consideration for various battery systems today. The studi es cover interfacial observations\, nucleation and growth of materials on an electrode\, and the chemo-mechanical transformations within electrolyte s\, and at their interfaces with electrode materials. Tandem analytical st udies via techniques such as transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and X- ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) can reveal the interfacial interactions and failure modes between electrodes and battery electrolytes. The present ed studies allow for comparisons of different electrode material propertie s for each type of electrolyte material and stand to help clarify interfac ial\, morphological and failure evolution mechanisms during battery cyclin g from them. Further\, we present the need for bridging length scales acro ss multiple analytical techniques when analyzing energy storage system mat erials\, to be able to better correlate model studies and commercial produ cts while also utilizing the strengths of analytical characterization towa rds battery circularity aspects for the future.\n\nBio: Nikhilendra (Nik) Singh is a Principal Scientist in the Materials Research Department at the Toyota Research Institute of North America. In his current role\, he is p art of a group which researches post-lithium-ion battery systems and their applications to future mobility and battery circularity. In specific\, hi s research currently covers sectors in solid-state batteries and liquid ba tteries beyond traditional lithium-ion chemistries commercially available today\, as well as topics such as battery recycling.\nNik joined Toyota in 2011 as a contracted researcher and moved to team member in 2013. In this time\, he has contributed towards more than twenty issued patents and eig hteen peer-reviewed scientific publications. Prior to working at Toyota\, Nik received his Bachelor of Science in Chemistry and Environmental Scienc e from Muskingum University and his Doctorate in Chemistry from Purdue Uni versity.\n\n  LOCATION:MXF 312 https://plan.epfl.ch/?room==MXF%20312 https://epfl.zoom.u s/j/62076283991 STATUS:CONFIRMED END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR