arXiv subjects

Jenny Baker

Publications and source records attributed to Jenny Baker.

5 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

Characterisation of fire-damaged batteries,implications for recycling

As lithium-ion battery demand grows, so do fire safety challenges. Despite this, research on fire-damaged batteries remains limited. This study explores the distribution of valuable metals (such as Ni, Mn, Co, Cu) in two types of waste derived from lithium-ion nickel-manganese-cobalt oxide batteries (NMC811), black mass (BM) and fire-damaged waste (FD). It emphasizes that cobalt, manganese, and nickel-rich NMC811 particles are predominantly found in smaller particle size fractions (<125 microns), where they can account for up to 85 percent of total metal content. Fire-damaged (FD) batteries show a similar, though less pronounced, trend. Evidence of structural degradation suggests that fire temperatures exceeded 500{\deg}C; however, the presence of residual organic binders indicates that heat was unevenly distributed during the fire. FD batteries become friable and easily fragment into fine particles, which can hinder the effective separation of copper and aluminium current collectors, increasing their presence in processed material. The inclusion of FD batteries in standard BM processing introduces variability in output composition, potentially lowering the concentration of high-value NMC811 materials present. To maintain product quality and recycling output values, it is recommended that FD batteries are processed separately. Alternatively, particle size separation may allow for tailored outputs aligned with specific customer requirements.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2026

Circularity in Perovskite-Based Tandem Photovoltaics for Terawatt-Scale Deployment

As photovoltaics (PVs) scale from one to multiple terawatts over the next decade, ensuring sustainable deployment is urgently required. Crystalline silicon (c-Si) PVs, the current industry standard, will generate an estimated 160 million tonnes of waste by 2050, and there remains complex technoeconomic challenges associated with their recycling. Metal-halide perovskite (MHP)-based tandem PVs not only promise higher power conversion efficiencies than single-junction c-Si devices, but also offer intrinsic advantages for circularity, including simpler device architectures, low-temperature processing, and more accessible materials recovery routes. At this pivotal juncture when perovskite PVs begin to enter the market, this review examines the critical circularity challenges that must be addressed: substitution of scarce raw materials, scalable recycling protocols, cost-effective stack delamination, safe lead sequestration, and policy frameworks to encourage circularity across the device lifecycle with effective incentives. By integrating the materials, technoeconomic and policy dimensions that go beyond conventional lifecycle assessments, we outline actionable strategies to co-optimize device performance and sustainability. This review aims to guide researchers, policymakers, and industry stakeholders in steering perovskite-based tandem PVs towards a circular and responsible commercialization pathway within the global clean-energy transition.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2024

New approach for obtaining ceramic NASICON (Na$_3$Zr$_2$ (SiO$_4$)$_2$PO$_4$) films sintered in situ by a sol-gel method, using spray deposition and Near-Infra Red Sintering

In this work we demonstrate a NASICON film sintered in situ onto a fused silica substrate. This production method drastically reduces the manufacturing time by combining the use of a spray-coated sol-gel solution and near-infrared (NIR) ultrafast sintering technology. The first demonstration of NIR sintered ceramics at high temperatures (~1000$^\circ$C).

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2024

Mechanical effects of carboxymethylcellulose binder in hard carbon electrodes

Electrodes in sodium-ion batteries endure mechanical stress during production and application, which can damage these fragile coatings, causing performance inefficiencies and early failure. Binder material provides elasticity in electrode composites to resist fracture, but evaluating the effectiveness of binder is complicated by substrate dependency of these films, while conventional cell tests are beset by multiple electrochemical variables. This work introduces a practical low-cost indentation test to determine the elasticity of hard carbon electrodes containing standard carboxymethylcellulose binder. Using the proposed method, relative elastic moduli of hard carbon electrodes were found to be 0.079 GPa (1% binder), 0.088 GPa (2% binder), 0.105 GPa (3% binder) and 0.113 GPa (4% binder), which were validated using a computational model of film deflection to predict mechanical deformation under stress. Effects on the electrochemical performance of hard carbon anodes were also demonstrated with impedance spectroscopy and galvanostatic cycling of sodium half-cells, revealing 8-9% higher capacity retention of anodes with 4% binder compared with those containing 1% binder. These findings suggest binder content in hard carbon electrodes should be selected according to requirements for both cycle life and film flexibility during cell manufacturing.

physics.chem-ph↗

arXiv2023

Roadmap on Photovoltaic Absorber Materials for Sustainable Energy Conversion

Photovoltaics (PVs) are a critical technology for curbing growing levels of anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions, and meeting increases in future demand for low-carbon electricity. In order to fulfil ambitions for net-zero carbon dioxide equivalent (CO 2 eq) emissions worldwide, the global cumulative capacity of solar PVs must increase by an order of magnitude from 0.9 TWp in 2021 to 8.5 TWp by 2050 according to the International Renewable Energy Agency, which is considered to be a highly conservative estimate. In 2020, the Henry Royce Institute brought together the UK PV community to discuss the critical technological and infrastructure challenges that need to be overcome to address the vast challenges in accelerating PV deployment. Herein, we examine the key developments in the global community, especially the progress made in the field since this earlier roadmap, bringing together experts primarily from the UK across the breadth of the photovoltaics community. The focus is both on the challenges in improving the efficiency, stability and levelized cost of electricity of current technologies for utility-scale PVs, as well as the fundamental questions in novel technologies that can have a significant impact on emerging markets, such as indoor PVs, space PVs, and agrivoltaics. We discuss challenges in advanced metrology and computational tools, as well as the growing synergies between PVs and solar fuels, and offer a perspective on the environmental sustainability of the PV industry. Through this roadmap, we emphasize promising pathways forward in both the short- and long-term, and for communities working on technologies across a range of maturity levels to learn from each other.

physics.app-ph↗