A NOVEL MODELING AND STATE OF CHARGE ESTIMATION SCHEME FOR LITHIUM-ION BATTERIES

Lithium Ion (Li-Ion) batteries have got attention in recent decades because of their undisputable advantages over other types of batteries. They are used in so many our devices which we need in our daily life such as cell phones, lap top computers, cameras, and so many electronic devices. They also are being used in smart grids technology, stand-alone wind and solar systems, Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEV), and Plug in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEV). Despite the rapid increase in the use of Lit-ion batteries, the existence of limited battery models also inadequate and very complex models developed by chemists is the lack of useful models a significant matter. A battery management system (BMS) aims to optimize the use of the battery, making the whole system more reliable, durable and cost effective. Perhaps the most important function of the BMS is to provide an estimate of the State of Charge (SOC). SOC is the ratio of available ampere-hour (Ah) in the battery to the total Ah of a fully charged battery. The Open Circuit Voltage (OCV) of a fully relaxed battery has an approximate one-to-one relationship with the SOC. Therefore, if this voltage is known, the SOC can be found. However, the relaxed OCV can only be measured when the battery is relaxed and the internal battery chemistry has reached equilibrium. This thesis focuses on Li-ion battery cell modelling and SOC estimation. In particular, the thesis, introduces a simple but comprehensive model for the battery and a novel on-line, accurate and fast SOC estimation algorithm for the primary purpose of use in electric and hybrid-electric vehicles, and microgrid systems. The thesis aims to (i) form a baseline characterization for dynamic modeling; (ii) provide a tool for use in state-of-charge estimation. The proposed modelling and SOC estimation schemes are validated through comprehensive simulation and experimental results.

Development and characterisation of solution processed vanadium oxide and transparent metal oxide thin films

Metal oxide thin films are important for modern electronic devices ranging from thin film transistors to photovoltaics and functional optical coatings. Solution processed techniques allow for thin films to be rapidly deposited over a range of surfaces without the extensive processing of comparative vapour or physical deposition methods. The production of thin films of vanadium oxide prepared through dip-coating was developed enabling a greater understanding of the thin film formation. Mechanisms of depositing improved large area uniform coverage on a number of technologically relevant substrates were examined. The fundamental mechanism for polymer-assisted deposition in improving thin film surface smoothness and long range order has been delivered. Different methods were employed for adapting the alkoxide based dip-coating technique to produce a variety of amorphous and crystalline vanadium oxide based thin films. Using a wide range of material, spectroscopic and optical measurement techniques the morphology, structure and optoelectronic properties of the thin films were studied. The formation of pinholes on the surface of the thin films, due to dewetting and spinodal effects, was inhibited using the polymer assisted deposition technique. Uniform thin films with sub 50 nm thicknesses were deposited on a variety of substrates controlled through alterations to the solvent-alkoxide dilution ratios and employing polymer assisted deposition techniques. The effects of polymer assisted deposition altered the crystallized VO thin films from a granular surface structure to a polycrystalline structure composed of high density small in-plane grains. The formation of transparent VO based thin film through Si and Na substrate mediated diffusion highlighted new methods for material formation and doping.

NEW METAL-BASED MICELLES AS ANTICANCER AGENTS

Cancer is a leader cause of death worldwide. One of the problems associated with the current chemotherapeutic options is the noxious side effects caused by the lack of selectivity. In this frame, our research group has been committed to the development of a new Ru and Fe macrometallodrugs.[1] The data obtained so far shows that these compounds present an intrinsic selectivity towards cancer cells (relatively to healthy cells) due to the incorporation of polymeric ligands that promote a passive targeting through the cancer cell membrane. These results prompted us to the development of new macrometallodrugs bearing bioessential metals such as Fe, Zn and Co. We used a ‘M(bipy) 3 ’ scaffold (bipy = 2,2’-bipyridine derivatives) for the synthesis of the new compounds due to the promising cytotoxicity results observed for related compounds.[2] As polymeric ligands we have chosen the polylactide-co-polyethylene glycol amphiphilic copolymer that is able to self-assemble into micelles in water, keeping the metal center hidden, like a Trojan horse. We will present the synthesis and characterization of the new compounds and some preliminary data on their ability to form stable micelles (Figure 1).