PhD Student Melanie Mitchell From Helmholtz Institute Münster Wins Poster Prize
Melanie Mitchell and her co-authors receive the poster prize at the 18th "International Symposium on Polymer Electrolytes" battery conference
31. July 2024 – New polymer electrolytes with improved ion transport properties for solid-state batteries were presented by PhD student Melanie Mitchell from Helmholtz Institute Münster (HI MS; IMD-4) at Forschungszentrum Jülich under the direction of Prof. Dr Martin Winter at the International Symposium on Polymer Electrolytes (ISPE-18) in Malaysia. She was awarded the poster prize together with Dr Diddo Diddens and Dr Gunther Brunklaus, also from Helmholtz Institute Münster.
Calculations Accelerate Knowledge Gain
With the help of calculations using Molecular Dynamics simulations, Mitchell, who works in the Electrolytes research focus area, shows how new polymer electrolytes with improved ion transport properties can be developed in an accelerated research process. The computer-aided approach saves time and money in the identification of promising electrolyte candidates suitable for solid-state batteries compared to the often rather time-consuming organic synthesis experiments in the laboratory.
Theory Requires Laboratory Work
Dr Diddens from the Theory research focus area of Helmholtz Institute Münster provides molecular dynamics simulations, which Mitchell used to decide which polymers should be looked at more closely in synthetic experiments. In particular, the research team is working on polymer electrolytes that are suited for warmer temperatures that are stable with high voltage electrodes. Their aim is to produce polymer electrolytes that are as dry as possible, for example lithium-metal batteries in a solid state, which enable fast charging and long-term operation at room temperature. Mitchell is working on inventing new polymers for her electrolyte research.
The research work is embedded in the FestBatt competence cluster, which is funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research.
Further information on the "International Symposium on Polymer Electrolytes" (ISPE-18) can be found here.