Faculty
Marnix Wagemaker | Erik M. Kelder | Swapna Ganapathy | Lars J. Bannenberg | Pedro Braga Groszewicz | Xuehang Wang
Facts & Figures
Full Professor: 1
Assistant & Associate Professors: 4
NMR Scientist: 1
PhD Students: 15
Post-docs: 4
Support Staff: 4 technicians and 2 secretaries
Research SEE
Within SEE fundamental research is performed towards next generation batteries and other materials that aid in the green energy transformations such as materials for hydrogen fuel cells and hydrogen sensors. Our research includes Li-ion batteries with improved performances, solid state batteries providing intrinsic safety, sulfur, and Li-air batteries with higher energy densities (required for future EV’s) and Na and Zn aqueous batteries for cheap static energy storage (storage of energy from wind and sun as well as grid stabilization). Furthermore, we currently research MXenes, which are two dimensional materials for high-rate energy storage, as well on fluoride-ion and magnesium batteries. On top of that, research is performed to study materials for solid oxide cells, hydrogen fuel cells and optical hydrogen sensors.
The research within the group focuses on the understanding of the atomic scale properties, and the relation to the macroscopic performance, aiming at the development of strategies to improve the materials’ performance. This is performed using both experimental research as well as simulations based on physical models on the atomic to mesoscopic scale.
Experimental techniques and simulations
Within the group we make use of a broad range of experimental techniques related to the Nuclear Reactor of the Reactor Institute Delft (RID). This reactor provides a neutron source with which we can determine the structure of materials. For example, we can see the location and movement of Li-ions within Li-ion batteries and materials, using neutron diffraction and neutron depth profiling or use neutron reflectometry to study the lithium or hydrogen concentration in thin film batteries and hydrogen sensing materials.
Our research with neutron-based techniques is complemented with other techniques such as X-ray diffraction, X-ray reflectometry, and Solid State nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), all often performed under operando conditions (during the working of batteries, MXenes or hydrogen sensor etc.) to gain understanding of the atomic scale structural changes. As an example, Solid state NMR is used to investigate the atomic scale local environment through the nuclear spins, as well as the Li-ion motion in battery materials, MXenes and electroceramics. In the battery lab battery materials and batteries are prepared to perform these experiments and to test future battery performance, while the performance of hydrogen sensors is assessed in the hydrogen sensing lab.
Our experimental studies are complemented with simulations. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations, approximately solving the Schrodinger equation, are performed to gain atomic scale understanding of the energetics and kinetics of battery materials. It is used to predict battery properties, and for the design of novel battery materials. Phase field modelling is performed to predict the behavior of complete battery electrodes, taking all relevant chemistry and physics into account. Comparing this with experiments allows one to develop a more fundamental understanding of the performance of batteries, and strategies to improve their performance.
Master and Bachelor thesis projects
Projects on all the research topics are regularly available, either focusing on experimental work or on simulation work, or a combination of both. In many cases a thesis project will be part of a larger running research project and can be fundamental in nature or part of a research project in collaboration with a company. If you are interested in a specific topic of the list below, please directly contact the person corresponding to the topic. If you are interested to perform your research within our group but do not yet know what topic suits you most, please contact Erik Kelder (E.M.Kelder@tudelft.nl) and he will be happy to discuss the options with you.
Topics
Please check the SEE Website (link below) for more information on the specific topics.
Marnix Wagemaker (M.Wagemaker@tudelft.nl)
- Fundamental Li and Na Batteries
- Li-Sulfur Batteries
- Solid state Batteries
Erik Kelder (E.M.Kelder@tudelft.nl)
- Mg Batteries
- Electrolysis + Fuel Cells
- Redox Flow Batteries
Lars Bannenberg (L.J.Bannenberg@tudelft.nl)
- Hydrogen Sensors
- Neutron Reflectometry
Pedro Braga Groszewicz (p.groszewicz@tudelft.nl)
- Oxides for Fuel cells
- Fluoride Ion Batteries
- Electroceramic Materials
Xuehang Wang (X.Wang-22@tudelft.nl)
- 2D materials for supercapacitor and pseudocapacitor
- Zinc-ion batteries
General Contact
Erik Kelder
E.M.Kelder@tudelft.nl
Website