More about me

I’m an experienced researcher within the field of lithium and lithium-ion batteries with particular expertise in electrochemistry. I’ve worked in both academia and the automotive industry on a wide range of projects related to materials chemistry and electrochemistry of current- and next-generation batteries.

My scientific background is in chemistry, specialising in electrochemistry. I have been working in battery research for over 15 years, developing expertise in electrochemical methods and techniques, and next-generation battery chemistries. I have worked in a number of large collaborations between industry and academia.

Today, I am a Senior Engineer in the Materials Technology section at Scania in Södertälje, Sweden, where I am the team leader for the battery cell team in Materials Technology. The battery cell team is responsible for providing support to Scania’s organisation in terms of battery material analysis and expertise, covering cell teardown, material characterisation, research, and technical consulting, from research and venture capital to product development, production and field quality. I currently supervise two PhD students, both registered at Uppsala University.

Outside of my employment, I have been active in online outreach and social media for a number of years, focusing on education and awareness of battery science. Beginning in 2016, I adapted some of my teaching material for online distribution, which has since developed into Lithium Inventory. On social media I occasionally comment on current developments in the academic field or industry, with a particular interest in electrochemical insights and critically appraising hype or misleading PR.

Read my blog posts (and archive of past Twitter threads) here.

Experience

Senior Engineer, Scania CV AB, Södertälje, Sweden, 2019 – present
Researcher, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden, 2012 – 2019
Postdoc, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK, 2012
Intern, Merck Chemicals Ltd, Chilworth, UK, 2008

Education

PhD, Chemistry, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK, 2012
MChem, Chemistry, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK, 2008

Publications, patents, talks

Links to pre-/post-prints or final published versions hosted here are given where possible and, to the best of my knowledge, in accordance with the journal publishing agreement. Links to the articles at the journal website are given in every case. See also my Google Scholar profile.

Do also follow “background” links where given for a discussion of the background behind the published work. I’m slowly working on these, and more will be added in due course.

Forthcoming

[56] A. Mikheenkova, A. Schoekel, A. Smith, I. Ahmed, W.R. Brant, M.J. Lacey, M. Hahlin, “Visualising ageing-induced heterogeneity within large prismatic lithium-ion batteries for electric cars using diffraction radiography”, submitted [pre-print at SSRN].

[55] A. Mathew, W. van Ekeren, R. Andersson, M.J. Lacey, S.K. Heiskanen, R. Younesi, D. Brandell, “Limitations of polyacrylic acid binders when employed in thick LNMO Li-ion battery electrodes”, submitted.

2023

[54] A. Mikheenkova, A.J. Smith, K.B. Frenander, Y. Tesfamhret, N.R. Chowdhury, C.-W. Tai, T. Thiringer, R. Wreland Lindström, M. Hahlin, M.J. Lacey, “Ageing of High Energy Density Automotive Li-Ion Batteries: The Effect of Temperature and State-of-Charge”, J. Electrochem. Soc., in press [view at publisher].

[53] A.J. Smith, Y. Fang, A. Mikheenkova, H. Ekström, P. Svens, I. Ahmed, M.J. Lacey, G. Lindbergh, I. Furó, R. Wreland Lindström, “Localized lithium plating under mild cycling conditions in high-energy lithium-ion batteries”, J. Power Sources 573, 233118 (2023) [view at publisher].

[52] Y.-C. Chien, H. Liu, A.S. Menon, W.R. Brant, D. Brandell, M.J. Lacey, “A fast alternative to the galvanostatic intermittent titration technique”, Nat. Commun 14, 1, 2289 (2023) [pre-print at ChemRxiv, view at publisher].

[51] G.D. Salian, A. Mathew, R. Gond, W. van Ekeren, J. Højberg, C. Fink Elkjær, M.J. Lacey, S.K. Heiskanen, R. Younesi, “Understanding the electrochemical and interfacial behavior of sulfolane based electrolyte in LiNi_0.5Mn_1.5O₄-graphite full-cells”, Batteries & Supercaps, e202200565 (2023) [view at publisher]

[50] J.T. Frith, M.J. Lacey, U. Ulissi, “A non-academic perspective on the future of Li-based batteries”, Nat. Commun. 14, 420 (2023) [view at publisher]

[49] A. Mikheenkova, O. Gustafsson, C. Misiewicz, W.R. Brant, M. Hahlin, M.J. Lacey, “Resolving high potential structural deterioration in Ni-rich layered cathode materials for lithium-ion batteries operando”, J. Energy Storage 57, 106211 (2023) [pre-print at ChemRxiv, view at publisher].

[48] C. Misiewicz, R. Lundström, I. Ahmed, M.J. Lacey, W.R. Brant, E.J. Berg, “Online electrochemical mass spectrometry on large-format Li-ion cells”, J. Power Sources 554, 232318 (2023) [view at publisher]

2022

[47] A. Mathew, C. Misiewicz, M.J. Lacey, S.K. Heiskanen, J. Mindemark, E. Berg, R. Younesi, D. Brandell, “Understanding the capacity fade in polyacrylonitrile binder based LiNi_0.5Mn_1.5O₄ cells”, Batteries and Supercaps, e202200279 (2022) [pre-print at ChemRxiv, view at publisher].

[46] L. Yin, Z. Geng, Y.-C. Chien, T. Thiringer, M.J. Lacey, A.M. Andersson, D. Brandell, “Implementing intermittent current interruption into Li-ion cell modelling for improved battery diagnostics”, Electrochimica Acta 427, 140888 (2022) [view at publisher].

[45] E.R. Østli, M. Ebadi, Y. Tesfamhret, M. Mahmoodinia, M.J. Lacey, D. Brandell, A.M. Svensson, S.M. Selbach, N.P. Wagner, “On the durability of protective titania coatings on high-voltage spinel cathodes”, ChemSusChem 15, 12, e202200324 [view at publisher].

[44] Y.-C. Chien, H. Li, J. Lampkin, S. Hall, N. Garcia-Araez, W.R. Brant, D. Brandell, M.J. Lacey, “Impact of compression on the electrochemical performance of the sulfur/carbon composite electrode in lithium-sulfur batteries”, Batteries & Supercaps, e202200058 (2022) [view at publisher].

[43] G.D. Salian, J. Højberg, C. Fink Elkjær, M.J. Lacey, Y. Tesfamhret, R. Younesi, “Investigation of water-soluble binders for LiNi_0.5Mn_1.5O₄-based full cells”, ChemistryOpen 11, 6, e202200065 (2022) [view at publisher].

[42] Y.-C. Chien, M.J. Lacey, N.-J. Steinke, D. Brandell, A.R. Rennie, “Correlations between precipitation reactions and electrochemical performance of lithium-sulfur batteries”, Chem 8 (5), 1476-1492 (2022) [pre-print at ChemRxiv, view at publisher].

[41] P. Svens, J. Groot, A. Smith, M.J. Lacey, R. Wreland Lindström, G. Lindbergh, “Evaluating performance and cycle life improvements in the latest generations of prismatic lithium-ion batteries”, IEEE Transactions on Transportation Electrification, in press [pre-print at ChemRxiv, view at publisher].

[40] Y.-C. Chien, A.S. Menon, W.R. Brant, M.J.Lacey, D. Brandell, “Understanding the impact of precipitation kinetics on the electrochemical performance of lithium-sulfur batteries by operando X-ray diffraction”, J. Phys. Chem. C 126, 6, 2971-2979 (2022) [view at publisher].

[39] Z. Geng, Y.-C. Chien, M.J. Lacey, T. Thiringer, D. Brandell, “Validity of solid-state Li⁺ diffusion coefficient estimation by electrochemical approaches for lithium-ion batteries”, Electrochimica Acta 404, 139727 (2022) [pre-print at arXiv, view at publisher].

[38] Y.-C. Chien, D. Brandell, M.J. Lacey, “Towards reliable three-electrode cells for lithium-sulfur batteries”, Chem Commun. 58, 705-708 (2022) [pre-print at ChemRxiv, view at publisher].

[37] H. Li, J. Lampkin, Y.-C. Chien, L. Furness, D. Brandell, M.J. Lacey, N. Garcia-Araez, “Operando characterization of active surface area and passivation effects on sulfur-carbon composites for lithium-sulfur batteries”, Electrochimica Acta 403, 139572 (2022) [view at publisher].

2021

[36] Z. Geng, T. Thiringer, M.J. Lacey, “Intermittent current interruption method for commercial lithium ion batteries aging characterization”, IEEE Transactions on Transportation Electrification 8 (2), 2985 (2021) [pre-print at arXiv, view at publisher].

[35] E.R. Østli, Y. Tesfamhret, S. Wenner, M.J. Lacey, D. Brandell, A.M. Svensson, S.M. Selbach, N.P. Wagner, “Limitations of ultra-thin Al₂O₃-coatings on LNMO cathodes”, ACS Omega 6, 45, 30644-30655 (2021) [view at publisher].

[34] A. Mathew, M.J. Lacey, D. Brandell, “Investigating oxidative stability of lithium-ion battery electrolytes using synthetic charge-discharge profile voltammetry”, J. Power Sources Adv. 11, 100071 (2021) [pre-print at ChemRxiv, view at publisher].

[33] Y.-C. Chien, H. Jang, D. Brandell, M.J. Lacey, “Poly(ethylene glycol-block-2-ethyl-2-oxazoline) as cathode binder in lithium-sulfur batteries”, ChemistryOpen 10, 10, 960-965 (2021). [pre-print at ChemRxiv, view at publisher].

[32] Z. Geng, S. Wang, M.J. Lacey, D. Brandell, T. Thiringer, “Bridging physics-based and equivalent circuit models for lithium-ion batteries”, Electrochimica Acta 372, 137829 (2021) [pre-print at arXiv, view at publisher, raw data].

2020

[31] P. Kitz, M.J. Lacey, P. Novák, E.J. Berg, “Influence of VC and FEC additives on interphase properties of carbon in Li-ion cells investigated by combined EIS & EQCM-D”, J. Power Sources 477, 228567 (2020) [pre-print at ChemRxiv, view at publisher].

[30] A. Bergfelt, R. Mogensen, M.J. Lacey, G. Hernández, D. Brandell, T. Bowden, “A mechanically robust yet highly conductive diblock copolymer-based solid polymer electrolyte for ambient temperature battery applications”, ACS Appl. Polym. Mater. 2 (2), 939-948 (2020) [view at publisher].

[29] Y.-C. Chien, A.S. Menon, W.R. Brant, D. Brandell, M.J. Lacey, “Simultaneous monitoring of crystalline active materials and resistance evolution in lithium-sulfur batteries”, J. Am. Chem. Soc. 142 (3), 1449-1456 (2020) [pre-print at ChemRxiv, view at publisher, raw data].

[28] V. Nilsson, A. Kotronia, M.J. Lacey, K. Edström, P. Johansson, “Highly concentrated LiTFSI – EC electrolytes for Li metal batteries”, ACS Appl. Energy. Mater. 3 (1), 200-207 (2020) [view at publisher].

2019

[27] E. Khoo, M.J. Lacey, S.C. DeCaluwe, “Social media platforms for electrochemistry”, Electrochem. Soc. Interface 28 (4), 41 (2019) [view at publisher].

[26] Y.-C. Chien, R. Pan, M.-T. Lee, L. Nyholm, D. Brandell, M.J. Lacey, “Cellulose-based separators in lithium-sulfur batteries: an investigation into the complex interplay between the separator, interlayer, lithium nitrate and lithium metal electrode”, J. Electrochem. Soc. 166 (14), A3235-A3241 (2019) [pre-print at ChemRxiv, view at publisher, raw data].

[25] P. Kitz, M.J. Lacey, P. Novák, E.J. Berg, “Operando EQCM-D with simultaneous in situ EIS: new insights into interphase formation in Li-ion batteries”, Anal. Chem. 91 (3), 2296-2303 (2019) [pre-print at ChemRxiv, view at publisher].

2018

[24] B. Aktekin, M.J. Lacey, T. Nordh, R. Younesi, C. Tengstedt, W. Zipprich, D. Brandell, K. Edström, “Understanding the capacity loss in LNMO-LTO lithium-ion cells at ambient and elevated temperatures”, J. Phys. Chem. C 122 (21), 11234-11248 (2018) [pre-print at ChemRxiv, view at publisher].

[23] A. Bergfelt, M.J. Lacey, J. Hedman, D. Brandell, T. Bowden, “ε-caprolactone-based solid polymer electrolytes for lithium ion batteries: synthesis, electrochemical characterization and mechanical stabilization by block copolymerization”, RSC Adv. 8, 16716-16725 (2018) [view at publisher (open access)].

[22] J. Mindemark, M.J. Lacey, T. Bowden, D. Brandell, “Beyond PEO – alternative host materials for Li⁺-conducting solid polymer electrolytes”, Prog. Polym. Sci 81, 114-143 (2018) [view at publisher]

2017

[21] M. Ebadi, M.J. Lacey, D. Brandell, C. Moyses Araujo, “Density functional theory modeling the interfacial chemistry of the LiNO₃ additive for lithium–sulfur batteries by means of simulated photoelectron spectroscopy”, J. Phys. Chem. C 121, 42, 23324-23332 (2017) [view at publisher]

[20] M.J. Lacey, V. Österlund, A. Bergfelt, F. Jeschull, T. Bowden, D. Brandell, “A robust, water-soluble, functional binder system for high energy lithium-sulfur batteries”, ChemSusChem 10, 2758-2766 (2017) [view at publisher • pre-print • supporting information • raw data]

[19] M.J. Lacey, “The influence of the electrolyte on the internal resistance of lithium-sulfur batteries studied by an intermittent current interruption method”, ChemElectroChem 4, 8, 1997-2004 (2017) [view at publisher • pre-print • supporting information]

[18] S. Srivastav, M.J. Lacey, D. Brandell, “State-of-charge indication in Li-ion batteries by simulated impedance spectroscopy”, J. Applied Electrochem. 47, 2, 229-236 (2017) [view at publisher]

2016

[17] F. Jeschull, F. Lindgren, M.J. Lacey, F. Björefors, K. Edström, D. Brandell, “Influence of inactive electrode components on degradation phenomena in nano-Si electrodes for Li-ion batteries”, J. Power Sources 325, 513-524 (2016) [view at publisher]

[16] M.J. Lacey, A. Yalamanchili, J. Maibach, C. Tengstedt, K. Edström, D. Brandell, “The Li-S battery: an investigation of redox shuttle and self-discharge behaviour with LiNO₃-containing electrolytes”, RSC Advances 6, 3632-3641 (2016) [view at publisher • journal’s published version • supporting information]

[15] A. Lundgren, S. Munktell, M.J. Lacey, M. Berglin, F. Björefors, “Formation of gold nanoparticle size and density gradients by bipolar electrochemistry”, ChemElectroChem 3 (3), 378-382 (2016) [view at publisher]

2015

[14] F. Jeschull, D. Brandell, K. Edström, M.J. Lacey, “A stable graphite negative electrode for the lithium-sulfur battery”, Chem. Commun. 51, 17100-17103 (2015) [view at publisher • post-print • supporting information]

[13] M.J. Lacey, K. Edström, D. Brandell, “Visualising the problems with balancing lithium-sulfur batteries by “mapping” internal resistance”, Chem. Commun. 51, 16502-16505 (2015) [view at publisher • post-print • supporting information]

[12] F. Jeschull, M.J. Lacey, D. Brandell, “Functional binders as graphite exfoliation suppressants in aggressive electrolytes for lithium-ion batteries”, Electrochimica Acta 175, 141-150 (2015) [view at publisher]

2014

[11] M.J. Lacey, F. Jeschull, K. Edström, D. Brandell, “Porosity blocking in highly porous carbon black by PVdF binder and its implications for the Li-S system”, J. Phys. Chem. C. 118 (45), 25890-25898 (2014) [view at publisher]

[10] M.J. Lacey, K. Edström, D. Brandell, “Analysis of soluble intermediates in the lithium-sulfur battery by a simple in situ electrochemical probe”, Electrochem. Comm. 46, 91-93 (2014) [view at publisher • post-print]

[9] B. Sun, D. Rehnlund, M.J. Lacey, D. Brandell, “Electrodeposition of thin poly(propylene glycol) acrylate electrolytes on 3D-nanopillar electrodes”, Electrochimica Acta 137, 320-327 (2014) [view at publisher]

[8] A.W. Lodge, M.J. Lacey, M. Fitt, N. Garcia-Araez, J.R.Owen, “Critical appraisal on the role of catalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction in lithium-oxygen batteries”, Electrochimica Acta 140, 168-173 (2014) [view at publisher]

[7] M.J. Lacey, F. Jeschull, K. Edström, D. Brandell, “Functional, water-soluble binders for improved capacity and stability of Li-S batteries”, J. Power Sources 264C, 8-14 (2014) [view at publisher • post-print]

2013

[6] M.J. Lacey, F. Jeschull, K. Edström, D. Brandell, “Why PEO as a binder or polymer coating increases capacity in the Li-S system”, Chem. Commun. 49, 8531-8533 (2013) [view at publisher • post-print]

[5] M.J. Lacey, M. Sosna, J.R. Owen, “An electrochemical quartz crystal microbalance study of poly(acrylonitrile) deposition initiated by electrogenerated superoxide”, Electrochimica Acta 96, 23-26 (2013) [view at publisher • post-print • background]

[4] M.J. Lacey, J.T. Frith, J.R. Owen, “A redox shuttle to facilitate oxygen reduction in the lithium air battery”, Electrochem. Comm. 26, 74-76 (2013) [view at publisher • post-print • background]

2011

[3] M.R. Roberts et al, “3D lithium-ion batteries – From fundamentals to fabrication”, J. Mater. Chem. 21, 9876-9890 (2011) [view at publisher]

[2] A. Brewer, M.J. Lacey, J.R. Owen, I.Nandhakumar, E. Stulz, “Supramolecular hetero-porphyrin SWNT complexes”, J. Porphyrin Phthalocyanines 15 (4), 257-263 (2011) [view at publisher]

2009

[1] G. El-Enany, M.J. Lacey, P.A. Johns, J.R. Owen, “In situ growth of polymer electrolytes on lithium ion electrode surfaces”, Electrochem. Comm. 11 (12), 2320-2323 (2009) [view at publisher]

Patents

[1] M.J. Lacey, M. Klett Hudson, “Method for degradation diagnosis of an electrochemical cell”, WO2023121538A1

Conference presentations

Talks

Swiss Battery Days: invited 2023 (Villigen, Switzerland)
Roads To the Future: invited 2023 (Stockholm)
Battery 2030+ annual conference: invited 2023 (Uppsala)
Docent Lecture: 2019 (Uppsala University)
Battery Impedance for SoH Estimation (SEC Workshop): 2018 (Linköping)
LiSM³ (Lithium Sulfur Batteries: Mechanisms, Modelling and Materials): 2017 (London)
Fraunhofer IWS Workshop “Lithium-Sulfur Batteries”: invited 2014 (Dresden)
International Society of Electrochemistry: 2014 (Lausanne), 2015 (Taipei)
Electrochemical Society: 2013 (San Francisco)
Solid State Ionics: 2011 (Warsaw)
Southampton Electrochemistry Conference: 2011
International Symposium on Polymer Electrolytes: 2010 (Padova)

Posters

Baltic Electrochemistry Conference: 2018 (Tartu)
Graz Battery Days: 2018 (Graz)
International Symposium on Polymer Electrolytes: 2018 (Yokohama)
International Meeting on Lithium Batteries: 2010 (Montréal), 2012 (Jeju), 2014 (Como), 2016 (Chicago), 2018 (Kyoto)
International Society of Electrochemistry: 2014 (Lausanne), 2015 (Taipei)
Nordic Battery Meeting: 2013 (Uppsala), 2017 (Kokkola)
Fraunhofer IWS Workshop “Lithium-Sulfur Batteries”: 2013 (Dresden)
Lithium Battery Discussions: 2013 (Arcachon)
Zing Electrochemistry Conference: 2012 (Lanzarote)
Solid State Ionics: 2011 (Warsaw)

PhD thesis

Available via the University of Southampton institutional repository.

Matthew J. Lacey