Coupling electrochemistry and mechanics leads to new functionalities

Coupling electrochemistry and mechanics is the starting point of this project.

Carbon fibre electrodes that electrochemically insert alkali ions like lithium expand, and can together with a solid ion conducting polymer electrolyte form a high-performance solid-state composite material.

How the electrochemistry can be exploited to create controllable mechanical deformations of this material and how mechanical loads influence the electrochemistry and can be used for energy harvesting are key questions in this project.

Planned activities include coupled electrochemical and mechanical measurements on carbon fibres in liquids and solid polymer electrolytes.

The expansion of fibres due to ion insertion and piezo-electrochemical response to mechanical load will be measured, electrochemical energy harvesting based on deformation of structures will be studied, and shape-morphing and snapping structures will be made.

The experimental results will be linked to modelling work for experimental planning, validation and prediction of properties.

The long-term vision is to create a multifunctional composite material that carries load, stores electrical energy, shape-morphs and harvests energy.

The project activities are planned over 4-years starting 2022, and we will recruit one Ph.D. student to perform the experimental and modelling work.

The multi-disciplinary nature of this project requires close collaboration between electrochemistry and mechanics and joint student supervision.