Imaging Characterization Challenges and Solutions for Advanced Battery Development

Lithium battery is an energy storage system with highly complex microstructures covering multiple length scales, namely from millimeters to nanometers. The performance of the battery is dependent on the battery microstructures. Therefore, accurately characterizing the battery microstructure at different length scales is critical for interpreting battery performance, which ultimately advances battery technology.<br/><br/>Imaging characterization via electron microscopy, including SEM, FIB-SEM, and TEM, has been recognized as an effective approach to studying battery microstructure. However, it is challenging to capture the materials at the full-length scale and also correlate each data set. In addition, some materials are beam-sensitive and air sensitive, making it challenging to observe the structure at its native state.<br/><br/>In this talk, I will discuss a comprehensive approach to studying the battery structure at multiple length scales in 2D and 3D. In addition, solutions such as cryogenic FIB and TEM, inert gas sample transfer, and dose management approach to observe the battery materials are their native state will also be discussed.