PhD positions in testing and modelling of lithium-ion batteries in operational and abuse scenarios

Two PhD positions at the Department of Structural Engineering, NTNU, in the joint project BATT-MECH with the Department of Energy and Process Engineering, linked to SIMLab (Structural Impact Laboratory) and the Battery Mechanics and Sensing Lab and carried out in close collaboration with Audi AG. BATT-MECH combines laboratory experiments, advanced measurements and numerical modelling of coupled mechanical-electrochemical behaviour of lithium-ion batteries across swelling and ageing in normal operation, internal short circuits caused by impact or crushing, and modelling of thermal runaway, to build predictive simulation tools for safer cells, modules and packs.

One position studies swelling, ageing and safety of prismatic and cylindrical cells; the other investigates how internal short circuits develop under mechanical abuse, using crash-testing protocols and finite element simulations. Proposed start 1 February 2027.

Position 1: background in solid mechanics, structural or mechanical engineering; position 2: academically relevant background, preferably research on electrochemical energy storage.