Mechanical design of flow batteries

Abstract

The purpose of this research is to investigate the design of low-cost, high-efficiency flow batteries. Researchers are searching for next-generation battery materials, and this thesis presents a systems analysis encompassing static and moving electrode architectures that identifies which architecture is most appropriate for which materials and how to modify those materials to decrease cost and increase efficiency. The cost model and mechanical designs presented will help researchers (i) identify how to modify existing materials, (ii) find new desirable materials, and (iii) use those materials in novel flow battery structures to create next-generation batteries.