A Physics-Based Microscale Model of Vibration-Induced Degradation in Lithium-Ion Batteries
Mechanical vibrations experienced by lithium-ion batteries in electric vehicles, aerospace, marine, and railway applications accelerate degradation by altering the electrode microstructure and disrupting electrochemical transport processes. This study presents a physics-based microscale framework for predicting vibration-induced degradation by integrating the coupled evolution of mechanical, electrochemical, and transport phenomena within porous battery electrodes. Cyclic vibration generates stress concentrations that initiate particle fracture, carbon binder domain (CBD) debonding, and loss of particle-to-particle electrical contact, leading to progressive changes in electrode morphology. These structural changes increase electrode porosity and tortuosity, reduce effective ionic and electronic conductivity, and promote non-uniform lithium-ion transport. Consequently, localized current-density redistribution and polarization intensify, accelerating solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) rupture and reformation, lithium inventory loss, impedance growth, and active material isolation. Under severe transport limitations, the resulting overpotential promotes lithium plating and dendrite nucleation, further accelerating capacity degradation and increasing safety risks. The proposed framework captures the interactions between microstructural evolution and electrochemical performance to predict changes in capacity, internal resistance, polarization, state-of-charge heterogeneity, and thermal behaviour under varying vibration conditions. By establishing direct mechanistic links between vibration-induced microstructural damage and battery ageing, the proposed framework provides a robust foundation for predictive degradation modelling, vibration-resilient electrode design, digital twin development, and next-generation battery management systems.
