Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) are pivotal for decarbonizing transportation and enabling
renewable energy storage. However, their broader adoption is constrained by internal
transport limitations affecting power density, energy density, and thermal management.
Commonly, Li-ion cells, packs, and systems suffer from overheating and from
polarization effects of uneven Li-ion salt concentration, especially under high-rate
operation. To address these challenges, we explore the concept of a Li-ion convection
cell with active flow of electrolyte across the cell.

Through pseudo 2D macrohomogeneous electrochemical modeling, we predict that
convection in a Li-ion cell could simultaneously mitigate bulk mass and thermal
transport limitations and heat generation. For a single cell under discharge, even
minimal electrolyte flow rates (~μm/s) enhance runtime by promoting Li + concentration
uniformity, thereby lowering charge-transfer, ohmic, and concentration overpotentials.
Furthermore, the reduction in heat generation and flow-induced heat removal help
maintain a cell within temperature cutoff limits and can enable dynamic thermal
regulation. We examine reactive and proactive electrolyte flow strategies, where flow is
initiated based on temperature thresholds or discharge rate shifts, respectively. Both
approaches suggest effective suppression of overheating and improved utilization at
high rates.

Additionally, simulations are extended to compare the effect of electrolyte convection for
cells with different cathode materials (LCO, LFP, NCA, NMC, LMO) and impacts beyond
the cell level. The benefits to internal cell behavior persist to varying degrees across
such cathode chemistries. Including pumping losses across a single cell, the net energy
benefit of flow becomes substantial under high-rate operation. However, the incremental
cost, volume, and weight of onboard flow infrastructure and excess electrolyte need to
be explored further.