The heart of batteries is a mysterious place, where scientists surmise what happens as millions of ions shuttle to and fro. Every researcher’s dream has been to penetrate this realm, and witness these processes happening.
Now finally their colleagues at University of Houston have brought this dream a little closer. They have built a novel microscope that enables them to see the solid electrolyte interphase layer developing.
Solid Electrolyte Interphase at Heart of Batteries
A solid electrolyte interphase layer (SEI) forms on the anodes of lithium-ion batteries during the first few charging cycles. This has the effect of limiting further electrolyte decomposition, and allowing long battery calendar life. Science Daily cites a member of the Houston team as follows:
“We have achieved real-time visualization of solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) dynamics for the first time. This provides key insight into the rational design of interphases, a battery component that has been the least understood and most challenging barrier to developing electrolytes for future batteries.”
What the Team Saw When They Could Look
This journey into the heart of batteries began when a team from University of Houston, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, and U.S. Army Research Laboratory gathered. Their task was to develop a novel microscope, enabling them to visually observe SEI formation in real time as it happened.
The scientists invented a new version of reflection interference microscopy. Our lift does not stop at that floor, however we do understand the following. This class of devices directs incredibly narrow beams of light on targets, and reflects it back. Varying optical intensity relays critical information, as the solid electrolyte interphase layer develops.
We have little doubt this story will evolve, and could become a seminal moment in storage history. The heart of batteries will have more stories to tell. And we will be there for you on the sidelines, sharing as it happens!
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