THE SCHOOL OF MATERIALS SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING

GEORGIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY

Under the provisions of the regulations for the degree

MASTER OF SCIENCE

on Monday, February 10, 2020

10:00 AM
in MRDC 4211

will be held the

MASTER’S THESIS DEFENSE

for

Michael Liu

"M-Aramid Nanocomposite Separators for Energy Storage Applications"

Committee Members:

Prof. Gleb Yushin, Advisor, MSE

Prof. Preet Singh, MSE

Prof. Yulin Deng, ChBE

Abstract:

Lithium-ion batteries have served as the ubiquitous energy storage medium for high energy density needs in the past two decades. Critical safety roadblocks for these devices center around the separator - the layer of material that partitions the cathode and anode of the electrochemical cell. Traditional poly-olefin based separators experience thermal shrinkage at moderately low temperatures (> 120C), high surface energy, and low ionic conductivity, imposing rate limitations on overall system cycling capability. In this thesis, I will present work on nanocomposite separators based on m-aramid & aluminum nanowire materials through relevant design, fabrication techniques, and performance/materials characterization for a thermally stable & highly ion conductive alternative.