Real-Time In-Situ Metrology for Lithium-Ion Battery R&D and Manufacturing

The development of cost effective lithium-ion batteries is the cornerstone for meeting the goals of vehicle electrification. Both researchers and manufacturers of Li-ion batteries need a rapid and simple-to-use but powerful analytical technology, which can enable nanometer-scale depth resolution in real time during the electrochemical cycling of the batteries. Currently available analytical techniques are extremely expensive, time consuming, labor-intense, involving very large equipment, e.g., synchrotron radiation or ultra high vacuum. We propose to develop a bench top optical sensor for direct, real-time measurements of the chemical composition of battery materials and electrode/electrolyte interfaces, with depth resolution down to the nanometer range. Such measurements yield real-time chemical information on lithium-ion or other kind of batteries that are currently unattainable by other analytical techniques. Our proposed technology will provide a crucial tool in the development of large-capacity lithium-ion batteries for electric and hybrid vehicle applications. The principle of operation will be based on Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS). Commercial Applications and Other Benefits High-volume manufacturing of advanced batteries for HEV, PHEV, and EV will create a strong demand for real-time metrology and analytical tools, used for rapid characterization of battery manufacturing materials and process control. Moreover, the demand for Li-ion batteries has the potential to spread into areas other than electric vehicles. For example, renewable energy sources such as solar and wind power generation requires electrochemical storage to compensate the time lag between production and consumption. Our analytical technology will be also useful in many other fields where localized mapping is necessary, including rapid in-situ characterization of Solid Oxide Fuel Cells. For many applications it is important to be able to verify that nano- and micro-structures meet the chemical/physical design specifications.