Dr Michael Mercer
Lecturer in Chemistry (Battery Research)Research Overview
My main research interest is battery science. I am primarily interested in understanding the fundamental processes that control battery behaviour. This is essential to develop better battery materials for use in stationary storage and the next generation of mobile transport applications needed in the Energy Transition away from fossil fuels. At the same time, understanding the relevant parameters of batteries helps to diagnose their behaviour and tracking changes in their behaviour as batteries age. I lead a resource known as the "BatLab", see here for further information.
Profile
A key distinguishing feature of my research is that I have developed atomic scale methods to understand the distinguishing characteristics of batteries, such as how the cell voltage changes with battery state of charge. At the same time, my group characterises batteries experimentally, both at small button cell level and larger, commercial batteries. I am interested to bring the atomic scale insights to explain the measured characteristics.
One example application is electrochemical thermodynamic characterisation of batteries, that is, measurement of cell characteristics such as voltage with state of charge at variable temperature. In combination with atomic scale and statistical mechanical models such as Monte Carlo and mean field methods, we can gain very deep insights into how the batteries and their constituent materials work.
I also have an interest in using these properties for practical diagnosis of batteries, for example studies of battery ageing, in connection with industry, and a recent interest in transferring these methods to next generation battery technologies such as sodium-ion, which would allow the use of substantially cheaper and more abundant materials. I am particularly interested in engaging with companies to transfer what we have learnt from studies of commercial lithium-ion cells to newer technologies that have not yet been commercialised at large scale such as sodium-ion.
-
Protective coatings for silicon-based lithium-ion batteries
01/05/2025 → 30/09/2026
Research
-
Insights into sodium-ion NVP cathodes through high-precision temperature controlled battery characterisation
01/03/2025 → 28/02/2027
Research
-
Transition metal oxides as electrocatalysts for energy storage through electrolysis
01/01/2015 → …
Research
Windermere Science Festival
Types of Public engagement and outreach - Festival/Exhibition
Royal Society of Chemistry Schools' Analyst Competition
Types of Business and Community - Hosting of external, non-academic visitor
RSC Schools' Analyst Competition
Participation in workshop, seminar, course
Lancaster University School of Mathematics
School Engagement
Lancaster University School of Mathematics
School Engagement
Entropy changes during interphase formation and degradation of silicon-based lithium-ion anode materials
Oral presentation
PhD viva
Examination
Electrochemistry Northwest
Participation in conference -Mixed Audience
Battery Cells and Systems Expo
Participation in conference - Business/Professional
Elements of Success
Other
[Unknown]
Hosting a School Visit
PhD viva
Examination
Lancaster University Chemistry Offer Holder Event
Other
How entropy measurements reveal new insights into next-generation battery materials
Invited talk
Journal of The Electrochemical Society (Journal)
Publication peer-review
Faraday Institution conference, Newcastle
Participation in conference -Mixed Audience
Defence of a Masters Thesis
Examination
- Electrochemical and Surfaces Research Group