Miljana Vuksanovic, a researcher in the field of Battery Technologies at AIT, was awarded 3rd place in the “Young Scientist Best Poster Award” at the 25th International Conference on Advanced Batteries, Accumulators and Fuel Cells (ABAF 2024) in Brno. The conference is one of the leading European events in the field of battery research.
In her poster, Vuksanovic presents an innovative approach that uses shellac as a binder for silicon-graphite anodes (Si/Gr anodes). Silicon is a promising material for anodes due to its high energy density, but the large volume expansion during the charging process poses a significant challenge. The use of shellac as a binder is intended to control this expansion and thus improve the mechanical stability of the anode.
In addition, the team is investigating whether shellac's “self-healing” properties could make it a promising material for extending battery life. This property could help to repair cracks or damage caused by the volume expansion of silicon during the charging and discharging process, which would ensure the structural integrity of the anode over numerous cycles. The key challenge is to find the optimal ratio of materials that provides both high mechanical stability and the required electrochemical performance.
The 3rd place in the Poster Award is a recognition of Vuksanovic's innovative approaches and demonstrates the relevance of her research for future advances in battery technology.