Sponsor: USAID, US National Academies (2019-2022)
The present project is focused on developing novel lead composite foams for use in the lead-acid batteries. Despite the simplicity of production and recyclability of the conventional lead-acid batteries, they suffer from low capacity and power, short life and heavy weight. This project will explore selected methods for inexpensive synthesis of novel Pb-alloys based composite foams containing hybrid pores with reproducible microstructures and superior properties to be used as electrodes for lead-acid batteries. The first type of pores has close-cell structure and is entirely contained within the fly ash cenosphere particles, which will be added into the Pb-alloy. The second type of pores is due to release of gas because of decomposing a blowing agent under the influence of heat. A combination of two types of pores will provide desired mechanical properties, surface area and lightweight. The project will include development and optimization of synthesis method and extensive characterization of the material as well as theoretical modeling and simulation to develop a correlation between microstructure and properties to obtain reproducible and optimized results.
Participants:
- Venkata Sai Siva Kaushik Yanamandra, Ph.D. student
Publications:
A series of panel discussions on lightweight syntactic foams is being organized as follows:
December 4 (10-11 am EST): Syntactic foams: An update on research and applications
Panelists: Gary Gladysz, Imre Orbulov, Noel Tessier
Moderator: Nikhil Gupta
Registration link: https://SyntacticFoams-1.eventbrite.com
January 14 (10:30-11:30 pm EST): Syntactic foams: An update on Research and Applications in Asia-Pacific
Panelists: Mrityunjay Doddamani, Thomas Fiedler, D. P. Mondal
Moderator: Nikhil Gupta
Registration link: TBD
February 12 (10-11 am EST): Syntactic foams: An update on Research and Applications in Europe
Panelists: TBD
Moderator: Nikhil Gupta
Registration link: TBD
