MICROSCOPY & IMAGING Under the
very year, the world becomes increasingly reliant on batteries. Ongoing advancements in battery technology are critical
to the progress and transformation of these key industries. Here, Dr. Zhao Liu, senior market development manager at the company, focuses on clean energy application materials and explores the current trends in battery technology and how various analytical characterisation techniques play a crucial role.
ELECTRON MICROSCOPY: DRIVING BATTERY PERFORMANCE A battery’s materials are critical to its performance, as they directly affect factors such as energy density, efficiency, safety and cycle life. For example, the choice of anode and cathode materials determines how much energy a battery can store, how quickly it charges and how long it lasts before degrading. The thermal and chemical stability of materials also influences safety, making material selection vital for developing efficient, durable and safe batteries. In-depth materials analysis, such
as Electron Microscopy (EM), is essential to understanding a material’s microstructure and how it behaves
microscope E
Dr Zhao from Thermo Fisher Scientific explores the current trends in battery technology and how electron microscopy can ensure they are efficient and sustainable
Lithium transfer using tho CleanConnect System (left) versus lithium transfer in air, -2 minutes (right).
during electrochemical cycling. This helps researchers detect failures such as dendrite formation or cracking that can lead to battery failure. Microscopy also allows for the optimisation of the interfaces between battery components, improving ion transport and performance. Ultimately, by analysing materials at the atomic level, scientists can develop batteries that are safer, more efficient and longer-lasting.
DELIVERING NEW TECHNIQUES Materials characterisation and analysis play a vital role in every phase of battery development, from the initial research and design of new materials to manufacturing, quality control, failure
Proof Material 1: Pure Li-metal surface imaged on Apreo 2
As transferred from glove box
Exposed in air for 30min
Stored in CleanConnect (1 hour)
analysis and, ultimately, recycling. Emerging technologies, such
as lithium-metal and solid-state batteries, offer substantial potential for transforming the energy storage landscape. These innovations promise higher energy density, extended cycle life and enhanced safety over traditional lithium-ion batteries. However, to fully realise these advantages, significant research is required to overcome persistent technical challenges. For instance, lithium-metal batteries, while capable of achieving high energy densities, face issues like dendrite formation - a growth of needle-like lithium structures that can pierce the separator, potentially leading to short circuits and safety hazards. Similarly, solid-state batteries offer enhanced safety by replacing flammable liquid electrolytes with solid ones, but they introduce complex interfacial challenges. Effective performance demands precise alignment between the solid electrolyte and electrode materials, and controlling degradation at this interface is essential to prevent premature failure. Characterising these advanced
Well protection of Li-metal sample surface via CleanConnect 48
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materials is challenging owing to the highly reactive nature of key components, such as lithium metal anodes, solid electrolytes and the
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