An Efficient Electrical Network Model for Computing Electrochemical State Distributions in a Spirally Wound Lithium-Ion Cell

The electrical design of a lithium-ion battery, including current collector dimensions and tabbing layout, can have a significant impact on its performance and aging behavior. This work describes a coupled electrochemical + electrical network model to quantify the impact of current collector resistance on performance, current distribution, and internal state heterogeneity in cells with cylindrically wound jellyrolls. We observe that, despite apparently ohmic behavior, the current collector impedance in cells with single- (or few-) tab arrangements tends to drive nonuniformity of current and electrochemical states throughout the jellyroll. This nonuniformity can give rise to enhanced and nonuniform lithium plating and other aging processes, depending on design and operating conditions.