M.Sc. Thesis - SIB Cell Swelling Characterization

Scania is one of the leading European manufacturers of heavy-duty vehicles. The 2025 global sales were 87 600 trucks and 6 500 buses, with 41 % of the total outside Europe. When it comes to global warming, we already contribute to the necessary reduction of fossil CO2 emissions with a focus on battery-electric trucks and buses. 

Background  

Sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) have emerged as a promising complement to lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) due to their potential cost advantages, resilient raw material supply, and favorable safety characteristics. While significant progress has been made in cell development, their suitability for commercial vehicle applications remains largely unexplored. A deeper understanding of the electrochemical and mechanical behavior of SIBs is needed to assess their potential and enable the next generation of battery systems for heavy-duty electric vehicles. 

Task 

In this M.Sc. thesis project (30 hp) for one student, the swelling behavior of sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) and its implications for future battery electric trucks (BET) shall be investigated.

The task is to:

• review reversible and irreversible swelling mechanisms of representative SIB, as well as the characterization methods;


• experimentally characterize cell swelling at different states of charge (SOC) and over cycling using CT scan and alternative measurements;


• benchmark the swelling behavior and mechanical deformation of SIBs against representative high-nickel lithium-ion batteries (LIBs);


• derive engineering requirements and recommendations for simplified mechanical integration, including cell compression and mechanical designs. 

To facilitate and speed up the work, skilled supervision and a license for ChatGPT Enterprise will be available. 

Studies: (Electro)chemistry, physics, electrical engineering, energy engineering 

Is a must: Relevant courses on battery technology. 

Is a bonus: Previous work on battery swelling behavior. 

Number of students: One. 

Start of work: 15 Feb 2027. 

Estimated duration: 20 weeks 

Language of work: English 

Location of work: Södertälje, Stockholm County, Sweden