Energy flow analysis of laboratory scale lithium-ion battery cell production.

Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) have been proven as an enabling technology for consumer electronics, electro mobility, and stationary storage systems, and the steadily increasing demand for LIBs raises new challenges regarding their sustainability. The rising demand for comprehensive assessments of this technology's environmental impacts requires the identification of energy and materials consumed for its production, on lab to industrial scale. There are no studies available that provide a detailed picture of lab scale cell production, and only a few studies provide detailed analysis of the actual consumption, with large deviations.

Indirect state-of-charge determination of all-solid-state battery cells by X-ray diffraction.

Determining the state-of-charge of all-solid-state batteries via both ex situ and operando X-ray diffraction, rather than by electrochemical testing (may be strongly affected by electrically isolated/inactive material, irreversible side reactions, etc.), is reported. Specifically, we focus on bulk-type cells and use X-ray diffraction data obtained on a liquid electrolyte-based Li-ion cell as the reference standard for changes in lattice parameters with (de)lithiation.

Chemical, Structural, and Electronic Aspects of Formation and Degradation Behavior on Different Length Scales of Ni-Rich NCM and Li-Rich HE-NCM Cathode Materials in Li-Ion Batteries.

In order to satisfy the energy demands of the electromobility market, both Ni-rich and Li-rich layered oxides of NCM type are receiving much attention as high-energy-density cathode materials for application in Li-ion batteries. However, due to different stability issues, their longevity is limited. During formation and continuous cycling, especially the electronic and crystal structure suffers from various changes, eventually leading to fatigue and mechanical degradation.

Phase Transformation Behavior and Stability of LiNiO Cathode Material for Li-Ion Batteries Obtained from In Situ Gas Analysis and Operando X-Ray Diffraction.

Ni-rich layered oxide cathode materials, in particular the end member LiNiO , suffer from drawbacks such as high surface reactivity and severe structural changes during de-/lithiation, leading to accelerated degradation and limiting practical implementation of these otherwise highly promising electrode materials in Li-ion batteries. Among all known phase transformations occurring in LiNiO , the one from the H2 phase to the H3 phase at high state of charge is believed to have the most detrimental impact on the material's stability. In this work, the multistep phase transformation process and associated effects are analyzed by galvanostatic cycling, operando X-ray diffraction, and in situ pressure and gas analysis.

High entropy oxides for reversible energy storage.

In recent years, the concept of entropy stabilization of crystal structures in oxide systems has led to an increased research activity in the field of "high entropy oxides". These compounds comprise the incorporation of multiple metal cations into single-phase crystal structures and interactions among the various metal cations leading to interesting novel and unexpected properties. Here, we report on the reversible lithium storage properties of the high entropy oxides, the underlying mechanisms governing these properties, and the influence of entropy stabilization on the electrochemical behavior.

In operando study of the high voltage spinel cathode material LiNi(0.5)Mn(1.5)O4 using two dimensional full-field spectroscopic imaging of Ni and Mn.

LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4 spinel cathode was studied during the first discharge cycle using combined full field Transmission X-ray Microscopy (TXM) and X-ray Absorption Near Edge Structure Spectroscopy (XANES) techniques to follow the chemical phase transformation as well as the microstructural evolution of cathode materials upon operation within an electrochemical cell.

Viscosity measurements of crystallizing andesite from Tungurahua volcano (Ecuador).

Viscosity has been determined during isothermal crystallization of an andesite from Tungurahua volcano (Ecuador). Viscosity was continuously recorded using the concentric cylinder method and employing a Pt-sheathed alumina spindle at 1 bar and from 1400°C to subliquidus temperatures to track rheological changes during crystallization. The disposable spindle was not extracted from the sample but rather left in the sample during quenching thus preserving an undisturbed textural configuration of the crystals.