Unlocking the potential of solid-state batteries through in-situ battery analysis using X-ray tomography and neutron imaging

To reduce global warming, rechargeable batteries are one of the key technologies to increase the use of electric transportation and storage of electricity from intermittent renewable sources. Current Li ion batteries have safety hazards and limited energy density. Solid-state Li metal batteries (SSLMBs) are a new type of batteries that can improve safety and energy density, but the brittleness of the solid state electrolyte (SSE) materials leads to cracking during expansion and shrinkage when the SSLMBs are being charged and discharged. This experiment uses neutron imaging to investigate the distribution of Li ions and X-ray computed tomography to investigate microstructure changes of SSE. The research objective is to improve cycling stability of the SSLMBs during Li intercalation and removal.