#ESS2206: Sensing Strategies for Supercapacitors

Supervisor: Steven Boles

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Goals and tasks: Quantification of the mechanical changes associated with the charging and discharging of supercapacitors can provide important insights into the electrochemistry of these devices. For example, the competition between faradaic and non-faradaic reactions may have associated mechanical signatures that have important implications for their long term health and reliability. Similarly, catastrophic failure of electrochemical devices may be evidence by irreversible swelling and package deformation. The goal of this project is to implement sensing methods to effectively observe such changes. In the pursuit of this, the following tasks are envisioned to be part of the summer project:

• Assess fiber-based sensing methods suitable for measuring package strain.
• Assist with the design and execution of experiments to measure deformation during charge and discharge of supercapacitors
• Conduct materials characterization
• Collect and analyze relevant data to identify critical indicators

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Desired skills and characteristics: The student must:

• Have basic knowledge of optics, mechanics (stress/strain), and/or electrochemistry;
• Be able to work well with others and independently depending on the situation;
• Have good problem-solving skills;
• Be an effective communicator

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Important info: For questions about the summer job, contact steven.boles@ntnu.no.