Dong Zhang, a University of Oklahoma assistant professor in mechanical engineering, has received a National Science Foundation CAREER Award and a $556,000 grant to improve electric vehicle (EV) battery technologies over the next five years.
According to a University of Oklahoma press release, his research addresses limitations of lithium-ion batteries, especially their energy density, which affects EV driving ranges. Current EVs average 250–300 miles per charge, compared to 300–500 miles for traditional vehicles. Zhang’s work uses high-fidelity computational modeling and control algorithms to improve battery performance and lifespan.
A key focus is on silicon-graphite composite anodes, which can boost energy density but expand up to 400%, causing cracking and degradation. Zhang is developing physics-based models to predict the performance of these composite anodes, aiming to understand the effects of mechanical stress and volume changes during charging on long-term battery degradation.
With support from the Oklahoma Center for the Advancement of Science and Technology (OCAST), Zhang’s lab is also creating diagnostic tools to better measure battery capacity and health. These tools could improve the “second life” battery market by lowering recycling costs and enabling repurposing. In addition, Zhang is collaborating with EV Battery Solutions by Cox Automotive to increase efficiency and safety in battery pack disassembly, as per the same release.
Zhang also leads a $2.3 million U.S. Department of Energy project on autonomous EV mobility services, according to the University of Oklahoma report. Together, these efforts focus on advancing high-performance, long-lasting lithium-ion battery energy storage solutions.
