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Beyond Electrochemical Analysis – 2D to 4D Correlation of Microstructure and Chemistry in Li-ion Batteries
Single imaging instruments as well as correlative microscopy workflows have demonstrated some unique abilities to support LIB research beyond electrochemical analysis methods. Light microscopy delivers insights about ablation effects & phase orientations in the active material, while scanning electron microscopy (SEM) reveals information about aging effects, nanometer cracks & the composition of the active material. Combining SEM with in-situ Raman spectroscopy extends the traditional SEM capabilities to organic and inorganic material identification. X-ray microscopy, furthermore, delivers 3D non-destructive imaging of full battery packs and localized high-resolution information, thus allowing the identification of regions of interest within the battery material volume. This presentation will demonstrate the application of these techniques to Li-ion battery research, including examples on anode, cathode, binder, and separator materials.
This webinar will focus on the following key topics:
• Introduction to available microscopic investigation techniques
for Li-ion battery research:
– Light Microscopy
– Scanning Electron Microscopy
– X-ray Microscopy
– Raman Spectroscopy
• Review of recent battery imaging studies in published literature
• Case studies on using correlative microscopy to characterize battery performance & failure mechanisms
Presenter
Stefanie Freitag – Market Segment Manager at Carl Zeiss
Stefanie is Market Segment Manager in Materials Research at Carl Zeiss Microscopy in Munich. She holds a Diploma in Engineering Physics, gained first work experiences in a nuclear fusion reactor with a pioneering concept in Greifswald, then worked 3 years in the solar industry in Ulm & Hsinchu, Taiwan. In her current position she analyzes and defines new microscopic solutions for specific materials segments including light microscopy, electron microscopy, x-ray microscopy and chemical methods like Raman spectroscopy.
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Battery Selection Tutorial Course 2/3: Beyond the Standards: Device-Specific Testing
After choosing your cell and manufacturer (Part 1 of this series), most likely, they will have passed the tests of various standards organizations. However, depending on your operating environment, you may need to go above and beyond the baseline to ensure your product operates as intended. This webinar is Part 2 in a three-part series and will review a variety of factors to consider in your device-specific testing, including designing tests to predict the outcomes of various user-abuse scenarios, understanding the mechanisms of gas generation, capacity retention based on different voltage windows, and what happens if you need to cycle your cells outside of their operating range (outside in an Arizona summer or Minnesota winter, for example).
This webinar will focus on the following key topics:
• User-abuse scenarios to prevent against
• Causes and effects of various gas generation mechanisms
• Voltage limits
Presenter
Exponent – a multidisciplinary engineering and scientific consulting firm with significant experience in various aspects of battery design, safety testing and failure analysis.
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Preventing Thermal Runaway in Energy Storage Systems (ESS)
From air transportation to electric vehicles and most recently “Hover Boards”, our industry is painfully aware of the over-discharge malfunctions associated with high-energy lithium-ion batteries, yet according to recent studies, nearly 70% of all Energy Storage Systems currently deployed are lithium-ion. Avoiding the pitfalls of utilizing greater energy density in larger installations is what will be discussed. Michelle will walk through the recent innovations from materials and process tracking in battery manufacturing to comprehensive control of cells in a fully deployed system. Incorporating lessons learned from recent failure investigations by the NTSB and FAA as well as new DoE mandates, Michelle will discuss how to achieve and in some areas surpass the new emerging safety certifications for a multi-megawatt energy storage system.
This webinar will focus on the following key topics:
• Making batteries safe or making safe batteries? (control & mitigation)
• Cell manufacture tracking, certification and response
– NTSB & DoE analysis and current situation
• Incorporating advanced battery management systems (BMS)
– Active cell dynamic balancing
– Cell replacement (hot-swapping)
– System reconfiguration
– Energy density scalability
Presenter
Michelle Klassen – VP of Business Development at Pathion, Inc.
Michelle Klassen is VP of Business Development for PATHION Inc. which manufactures high-performance, safe, and reliable Energy Storage Systems (ESS) for commercial markets ranging from 86 kilowatt-hours in stand-alone systems to over 1 megawatt-hour in containerized units. Prior to PATHION, as Vice President at ZeroBase Energy, she led the design and implementation of power systems and micro-grids for customers, including the US Department of Defense, Kenya Ministry of Energy and the L.A. Department of Water and Power.
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Advancing Mining Processes to Make Better Materials for Use in Lithium Ion Batteries
American Manganese Inc has developed a low-cost, environmentally friendly hydrometallurgical process to recover manganese (Mn) from lower grade resources. American Manganese has applied for a patent for their hydrometallurgical process that produces electrolytic manganese metal with low energy and water consumption. American Manganese commissioned R&D contractor, Kemetco Research Inc to determine uses of Artillery Peak manganese resource material to generate high value alternative products. Chemical manganese dioxide (CMD) and lithiated manganese oxide (LixMn2O4) for use in rechargeable batteries were the areas researched.
The research was successful in producing CMD from Artillery Peak resource material with low cation impurities and avoiding processing steps that are known to introduce metallic impurities in the final product. Cation impurities cause capacity fade, whereas metallic impurities are known to cause catastrophic failures (such as fire and explosions) in lithium ion batteries. Working rechargeable lithium ion coin cell battery prototypes were produced from the CMD material.
This webinar will focus on the following key topics:
• Catastrophic failure of Li Ion batteries caused by metallic impurities that may be introduced from the mining of raw materials
• Conventional mining process to recover MnO2 used to make LiMn2O4
• Research on a new mining process that avoids steps known to introduce metallic impurities to recover MnO2 used to make LiMn2O4
Presenter
Norman Chow – President – Kemetco Research, Inc.
Norman earned a B.A.Sc. and M.A.Sc. in Metals and Materials Engineering from University of British Columbia. He is a Registered Professional Engineer (P. Eng.) in British Columbia. He has over 15 years of technology development and contract research experience. He is the President of Kemetco Research Inc., which he formed after acquiring the Industrial Process Division of BC Research Inc. BC Research had been in operation for over 60 years as an R&D contractor.
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