Calibration via Finite Element Analysis of Experimental Methods for Battery Cell Swelling

IFP Energies nouvelles (IFPEN) est un acteur majeur de la recherche et de la formation dans les domaines de l’énergie, du transport et de l’environnement. De la recherche à l’industrie, l’innovation technologique est au cœur de son action, articulée autour de quatre priorités stratégiques : CLIMAT, ENVIRONNEMENT ET ÉCONOMIE CIRCULAIRE, ÉNERGIES RENOUVELABLES, MOBILITÉ DURABLE et HYDROCARBURES RESPONSABLES.

L’engagement d’IFPEN en faveur d’un mix énergétique durable se traduit par des actions visant :

• à gagner en efficacité énergétique ;
• à réduire les émissions de CO2 et de polluants ;
• à améliorer l’empreinte environnementale de l’industrie et des transports ;

tout en répondant à la demande mondiale en mobilité, en énergie et en produits pour la chimie.

Dans cet objectif, IFPEN développe des solutions permettant, d’une part, d’utiliser des sources d’énergie alternatives et, d’autre part, d’améliorer les technologies existantes liées à l’exploitation des énergies fossiles.

Calibration via Finite Element Analysis of Experimental Methods for Battery Cell Swelling

With over ten years of experience in studying, characterizing, and modeling electrochemical storage systems, IFPEN is today recognized as a key player in the modeling and simulation of batteries in France.

An electric vehicle battery is composed of multiple cells arranged in series and parallel. There are three main cell formats: cylindrical, prismatic, and pouch (or pockets). The new chemistries of Li-ion battery cells exacerbate swelling phenomena under electrochemical stresses, which can cause deformations and mechanical stresses on the confinement structure of the pack.

In response to these challenges, IFPEN has launched research and developed experimental methods to study the mechanical behaviors of battery cells under various electrochemical stresses.

The Mobility and Systems Engineering Office of IFPEN, having already developed thermal and thermomechanical modeling tools for various applications, including in thermal and electric engines, aims to focus on the development and adjustment of experimental models for battery cell swelling using finite element simulations.

The internship offered within the calculation team to meet this objective includes the following work plan :

1. Literature review on the issue to determine the choice of numerical modeling for part 3
2. Modeling and simulation of experimental means
3. Modeling and simulation including the studied battery cells
4. Analysis of the data from tests conducted at the IFPEN Solaize site versus simulation.

This work will be supervised by mechanical and thermal calculation engineers from the department of experimental means and systems design, as well as by research engineers from the Department of Electrochemistry and Materials.

Profile Sought:

 Bachelor/Master degree with a focus on Mechanics and/or Thermal Engineering.

• Knowledge in thermal, structural, and mechanical engineering.
• A strong inclination for numerical simulation is essential.
• Knowledge of CATIA, ANSYS Mechanical, Fluent software is a plus.
• Open-minded and proactive.

Keywords: Mechanical Engineering, Electrochemistry, Battery, Finite Element Analysis

Duration and Period of Internship: 6 months between January and December 2025
Internship Location: Rueil-Malmaison