Industrial CT Scanning for Lithium-Based Batteries

Nel PreTech Corporation uses high resolution, X-ray based CT scanning to deliver inspection and metrology data on lithium-based batteries. There is a growing demand for battery safety, sustainability, and performance. We help battery OEMs, tier suppliers, and innovators understand what’s going on internally so they can speed to market with confidence.

Types of Lithium-Based Batteries for CT Inspection

Computed tomography (CT) scanning can be useful for failure analysis, design validation, quality assurance, or measurement on a wide range of battery types. Here are the lithium-based models suitable for CT:

• Lithium-ion (Li-ion)
  
• Lithium polymer (LiPo)
• Lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4)
  
• Lithium manganese oxide (LiMn2O4)
  
• Lithium cobalt oxide (LiCoO2)
  
• Lithium nickel manganese cobalt oxide (NMC)
  
• Lithium nickel cobalt aluminum oxide (NCA)
  
• Solid-state lithium batteries
  
• Lithium primary (non-rechargeable)
  

Common Products Using Lithium-Based Batteries

• Consumer electronics, smartphones, laptops
• Electric Vehicles (EVs)
• Aerospace, military, medical implants
• Drones, compact electronics, RC devices
• Power tools
• Solar storage & energy storage
• Next-gen

Inspection Areas Unique to Lithium-Based Batteries

When inspecting battery component performance, wear, positioning, or connections, CT scanning is the preferred, non-destructive method. Lithium-based batteries, in particular, require a keener eye, so-to-speak. There are areas of interest unique to lithium batteries due to their internal structure, energy density, and thermal runaway risk.

CT scanning is used to detect:

• Alignment on electrodes
• Layering, compression, or winding of electrodes
• Tears or folds in separators
• Contact points
• Delamination
• Weld quality
• Cracks or voids
• Tab misalignment
• Contaminants or inclusions

Post-Cycling Failure Analysis

Sometimes charging and discharging of lithium batteries can cause internal shorts. This is due to the formation of lithium dendrites or metallic filaments. CT inspection may be needed for the detection or precursors of thermal runaway as well.

CT scanning gives access to:

• Dendrite pathways
• Dendrite growth into separators