Battery Abuse System that Facilitates In-Situ X-Ray Imaging and Multi-Modal Measurements and Methods Thereof
Systems and methods that facilitate X-ray imaging of lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries during mechanical, thermal, and/or electrical abuse are disclosed. In addition to facilitating X-ray imaging, the system also facilitates the simultaneous collection of thermal, electrical, force, and displacement data during the abuse-testing of Li-ion batteries. Materials that are within the field of view of X-ray imaging are highly transparent to X-rays. The system also contains a mechanical indentation apparatus that facilitates high force indentation, compression, or penetration tests of batteries to induce mechanical failure or thermal runaway within the Li-ion battery.
1 . A system for testing a lithium-ion battery in a computerized tomography (CT) scanner, the system comprising:
a tray configured to hold the lithium-ion battery;
an indenter in contact with the lithium-ion battery;
a clamp connected to the indenter configured to press the indenter into the lithium-ion battery;
a plurality of gears connected to the clamp and configured to apply a first force to the clamp;
a sensor configured to capture a measurement of the lithium-ion battery; and
a processor configured to receive the measurement, wherein:
the tray comprises a material that is substantially transparent to an X-ray beam, and
the tray and the indenter are within the X-ray beam of the CT scanner.
2 . The system of claim 1 , further comprising:
a housing configured to contain the tray, the indenter, the clamp, the plurality of gears, the load cell, the distance sensor, the voltage reader, the thermocouple, and the processor; and
a turntable connected to the housing; wherein:
the turntable is configured to rotate the housing.
3 . The system of claim 1 , wherein:
the sensor comprises a load cell, and
the measurement comprises a second force of the indenter on the lithium-ion battery.
4 . The system of claim 1 , wherein:
the sensor comprises a distance sensor, and
the measurement comprises a depth of the indenter within the lithium-ion battery.
5 . The system of claim 1 , wherein:
the sensor comprises a thermocouple in contact with the lithium-ion battery, and
the measurement comprises a temperature of the lithium-ion battery.
6 . The system of claim 1 , wherein:
the sensor comprises a voltage reader, and
the measurement comprises a voltage of the lithium-ion battery.
7 . The system of claim 1 , wherein:
the plurality of gears comprises:
a worm gear;
a worm wheel; and
a motor.
8 . The system of claim 1 , wherein:
the plurality of gears is substantially outside of the X-ray beam.
9 . The system of claim 1 , wherein:
the material substantially transparent to the X-ray beam comprises a plastic.
10 . The system of claim 9 , wherein:
the plastic comprises polycarbonate, carbon fiber, polyvinyl chloride, polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA).
11 . A method for testing a lithium-ion battery in a computerized tomography (CT) scanner, the method comprising:
holding the lithium-ion battery using a tray;
contacting the lithium-ion battery with an indenter;
pressing the indenter into the lithium-ion battery using a clamp;
applying a first force to the clamp using a plurality of gears;
capturing a measurement of the lithium-ion battery using a sensor; and
receiving the measurement into a processor; wherein:
the tray comprises a material that is substantially transparent to an X-ray beam, and
the tray and the indenter are within the X-ray beam of the CT scanner.
12 . The method of claim 11 , further comprising:
containing the tray, the indenter, the clamp, the plurality of gears, the sensor, and the processor in a housing; and
rotating the housing using a turntable connected to the housing.
13 . The method of claim 11 , wherein:
the plurality of gears comprises:
a worm gear;
a worm wheel; and
a motor.
14 . The method of claim 11 , wherein:
the plurality of gears is substantially outside of the X-ray beam.
15 . The method of claim 11 , wherein:
the sensor comprises a load cell, and
the measurement comprises a second force of the indenter on the lithium-ion battery.
16 . The method of claim 11 , wherein:
the sensor comprises a distance sensor, and
the measurement comprises a depth of the indenter within the lithium-ion battery.
17 . The method of claim 11 , wherein:
the sensor comprises a thermocouple in contact with the lithium-ion battery, and
the measurement comprises a temperature of the lithium-ion battery.
18 . The method of claim 11 , wherein:
the sensor comprises a voltage reader, and
the measurement comprises a voltage of the lithium-ion battery.
19 . The method of claim 11 , wherein:
the material substantially transparent to the X-ray beam comprises a plastic.
20 . The method of claim 19 , wherein:
the plastic comprises polycarbonate, carbon fiber, polyvinyl chloride, polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA).