Understanding the evolution of lithium heterogeneity inside an working battery is vital to designing higher battery electrodes. Microscopically characterizing this evolution is difficult as a result of each nano- and micro-meter-scale options coevolve in a three-dimensional (3D), porous, multi-component electrode. Since heterogeneity at every scale and element indicate completely different kinetic mechanisms, the problem is to acquire enough spatial decision whereas additionally sustaining measurements throughput. Inevitably, methods compromise sure facets, particularly depth-resolution and particle-wise statistics. Now, writing in Nature Nanotechnology, Pandya et al. make the most of a benchtop operando confocal microscopy approach to optically map the 3D evolution of lithium content material in each the strong lively particles and liquid electrolyte1. By specializing in depth decision and throughput, the approach captures heterogeneity each inside the majority and on the floor of 3D agglomerate particles (that are agglomerations of smaller particles) and in addition between agglomerate particles. Their remark proves that it’s essential to transcend single-plane or single-particle measurements to unravel the interaction between quite a few kinetic processes.
