SCGSR - XSD - Strong, Nathanael - 9.28.26

Argonne National Laboratory • Lemont, IL

12d

About The Position

This project investigates how electrochemically inactive pillar ions influence intraparticle strain evolution and sodium-ion dynamics in layered sodium-ion battery cathodes. During sodium-ion (de)intercalation, anisotropic lattice changes can generate heterogeneous strain, dislocations, mosaic domains, and irreversible phase transformations that contribute to capacity degradation. Incorporating ions such as Ca²⁺ or K⁺ between transition-metal oxide layers may preserve interlayer registry and suppress these degradation pathways, although the mechanisms are not fully understood.

At the Advanced Photon Source (APS), the student will use micro-X-ray diffraction (µXRD) and Bragg coherent diffraction imaging (BCDI) to compare pillared and non-pillared cathode particles during electrochemical cycling. µXRD will quantify changes in lattice parameters and crystal mosaicity across particle ensembles. BCDI will reconstruct individual-particle morphology and three-dimensional lattice-displacement and strain fields. X-ray photon correlation spectroscopy (XPCS) will characterize temporal lattice dynamics and examine their relationships with sodium-ion redistribution, structural defects, and coherent-domain boundaries.

During the APS residency, the student will collaborate with beamline scientists to prepare and conduct coherent-scattering experiments, refine in situ electrochemical measurement protocols, and analyze diffraction-imaging and correlation datasets. The project will assess the feasibility of integrating BCDI and XPCS within a common experimental framework, providing complementary characterization of spatial strain distributions and temporal lattice dynamics. These studies will establish quantitative relationships among pillar-ion concentration, strain heterogeneity, structural evolution, and sodium-ion dynamics.

The entirety of the appointment must be conducted within the United States. Applicants must be at least 18 years old when the appointment begins and must be currently enrolled in undergraduate or graduate studies at an accredited institution, have graduated from an accredited institution within the past three months, or be actively enrolled in a graduate program at an accredited institution.

Requirements

• Must be at least 18 years old when the appointment begins.
• The entire appointment must be conducted within the United States.
• Must be currently enrolled in undergraduate or graduate studies at an accredited institution, have graduated from an accredited institution within the past three months, or be actively enrolled in a graduate program at an accredited institution.

Responsibilities

• Use micro-X-ray diffraction (µXRD) and Bragg coherent diffraction imaging (BCDI) to compare pillared and non-pillared cathode particles during electrochemical cycling.
• Use µXRD to quantify changes in lattice parameters and crystal mosaicity across particle ensembles.
• Use BCDI to reconstruct individual-particle morphology and three-dimensional lattice-displacement and strain fields.
• Use X-ray photon correlation spectroscopy (XPCS) to characterize temporal lattice dynamics and investigate relationships with sodium-ion redistribution, structural defects, and coherent-domain boundaries.
• Collaborate with beamline scientists to prepare and conduct coherent-scattering experiments.
• Refine in situ electrochemical measurement protocols.
• Analyze diffraction-imaging and correlation datasets.
• Assess the feasibility of integrating BCDI and XPCS within a common experimental framework.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Intern
• Education Level: No Education Listed