Climate-driven alterations of the Arctic Ocean (sea ice cover, hydrography, circulation) strongly influence biological productivity and ecosystem structure. At present, our ability to evaluate the full impact of these changes and predict their future trajectory is limited by a poor understanding of the interacting chemical, physical and biological processes which shape the functional characteristics and resiliency of Arctic waters. To bridge this critical knowledge gap, a pan-Arctic field study (Arctic-GEOTRACES) is being coordinated between Canada (2015), US, Germany and France to generate a quasi-synoptic database of biogeochemical tracers in relation to circulation and ecosystem structure and productivity. The Canadian program involves 28 investigators including biological, chemical and physical oceanographers, experimentalists and modelers. Fully integrated in this program, the proposed research focuses on tracers of ocean circulation and land/ocean chemical exchanges (Rare Earth Elements, ENd, 230Th, 231Pa), both impacted by climate change in the Arctic. It will be conducted on the Canadian section, from the Canada Basin to the Labrador Sea, and consists of a three-step approach: 1) Modelling study of Arctic Ocean dynamics, including off-line Lagrangian analyses to refine the sampling strategy for the tracers above-mentioned; 2) Measurements of these tracers on the Canadian section to specifically investigate land-ocean exchanges and circulation; 3) Integration of these data into a fine resolution model coupling circulation, sea ice dynamics and biogeochemical processes to refine our understanding of circulation and to quantify land-ocean margin chemical exchanges of bioactive or water mass fingerprinting chemical elements. Besides enriching international databases, results from this program will provide foundational information critical for sustainable development in the Arctic. Secondment/return phases: UBC (Vancouver, CA)/LEGOS (Toulouse, FR).

The aim of this project is to develop and to demonstrate a novel theoretical framework devoted to rationalizing the formulation of composite electrodes containing next-generation material chemistries for high energy density secondary batteries. The framework will be established through the combination of discrete particle and continuum mathematical models within a multiscale computational workflow integrating the individual models and mimicking the different steps along the electrode fabrication process, including slurry preparation, drying and calendering. Strongly complemented by dedicated experimental characterizations which are devoted to its validation, the goal of this framework is to provide insights about the impacts of material properties and fabrication process parameters on the electrode mesostructures and their corresponding correlation to the resulting electrochemical performance. It targets self-organization mechanisms of material mixtures in slurries by considering the interactions between the active and conductive materials, solvent, binders and dispersants and the relationship between the materials properties such as surface chemistry and wettability. Optimal electrode formulation, fabrication process and the arising electrode mesostructure can then be achieved. Additionally, the framework will be integrated into an online and open access infrastructure, allowing predictive direct and reverse engineering for optimized electrode designs to attain high quality electrochemical performances. Through the demonstration of a multidisciplinary, flexible and transferable framework, this project has tremendous potential to provide insights leading to proposals of new and highly efficient industrial techniques for the fabrication of cheaper and reliable next-generation secondary battery electrodes for a wide spectrum of applications, including Electric Transportation.

As global energy demands escalate, and the use of non-renewable resources becomes untenable, renewable resources and electric vehicles require far better batteries to stabilize the new energy landscape. To maximize battery performance and lifetime, understanding and monitoring the fundamental mechanisms that govern their operation throughout their lifetime is crucial. Unfortunately, from the moment batteries are sealed until the end of their life, they remain a "black box", and our understanding of the health status of commercial batteries is limited to measurements of current, voltage, temperature, and impedance, at the cell or even module level during use. However, the landscape has recently evolved with the integration of optical fiber-based sensors into batteries, providing unprecedented insights into their thermal and mechanical properties. A significant breakthrough in this trajectory is the successful integration of Infrared Fiber Evanescent Wave Spectroscopy (IR-FEWS) into commercial Na-ion cells. This achievement enables real-time monitoring of battery chemistry dynamics during operation, marking a paradigm shift in battery design with the potential for enhanced performance, extended lifespan, and enhanced reliability. INFRALYTICS aims to explore the myriad of opportunities opened by this advance. The initiative kicks off by integrating chemical monitoring using IR-FEWS into battery cells, delving into the evolution of electrolytes and the formation of parasitic products—be they soluble, solid, or gaseous. Through a synergistic approach involving optical fiber design, electrochemical data generation, and data-driven modeling, the project strives to develop a technology capable of bridging complex degradation phenomena with batteries' long-term performance. By addressing current knowledge gaps, INFRALYTICS aims to position the EU research and industry to produce more efficient and durable batteries, thereby contributing to a more sustainable future.