Images of a composite battery cathode produced by the novel X-ray technology, which offers nano-scale resolution and compositional sensitivity. Image: Cockrell School of Engineering.Batteries are challenging to observe and analyze, as they can't really be opened up because of their volatile nature. One way to monitor batteries is through X-ray technology. However, the equipment is very expensive and X-ray methods can struggle to balance resolution, sensitivity and speed.
Now, a researcher in the University of Texas at Austin’s Cockrell School of Engineering has developed a low-cost method that uses X-ray technology to capture images inside batteries and then deploys a software algorithim to fill in the blanks. Instead of an X-ray lens that may cost hundreds of thousands of dollars, this new technology uses a couple of sheets of sandpaper to structure the illumination of the sample in a way that allows for detailed mapping at the nanoscale.
"The data may look ugly to the eye, but it contains a lot of information that can be extracted by our algorithim," said Yijin Liu, an associate professor in the Walker Department of Mechanical Engineering.
The research, reported in a paper in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, is a continuation of work Liu did at Stanford University to improve experimental techniques for monitoring structural changes in batteries over time.
The sandpaper works by changing the illumination of a sample, allowing for a broader but less complete X-ray image. The algorithim then pulls out information about the chemical particles in the image, in the same way that facial recognition software might be able to identify blurry faces in a group photo.
Battery components are made up of many different particles comprising a variety of chemicals. Over time, as the battery charges and discharges repeatedly, those particles can break off and float away, reducing the capacity of the battery.
"Your phone might say it is 100% charged and has 10 hours of battery life, but really it will only last for six hours because of changes to the internal structure," Liu said.
Understanding what happens to these chemical particles over time can help researchers design more dependable battery materials that won't be impacted by this phenomenon. And the potential applications of this novel X-ray technology go beyond batteries. Any situation that needs non-invasive internal imaging could benefit, including areas like biology, environmental studies and materials science.
This story is adapted from material from the University of Texas at Austin’s Cockrell School of Engineering, with editorial changes made by Materials Today. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent those of Elsevier. Link to original source.