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At least 37 records · Page 2

Operando detection of Li plating during fast charging of Li-ion batteries using incremental capacity analysis

A major challenge that limits fast charging of Li-ion batteries is lithium (Li) plating on the graphite electrode. Furthermore, it remains challenging to detect and diagnose Li plating in operando during charging. In this work, incremental capacity (IC) analysis is applied while charging graphite-NMC pouch cells over a range of rates from C/2 to 4C. Three-electrode pouch cell measurements and post-mortem SEM imaging was performed to demonstrate that the onset of Li plating is correlated with a specific IC peak. IC analysis was also applied to study the fast-charge performance of multi-layer pouch cells with 3-D anode architectures. The results demonstrate that: 1) IC curves have a characteristic peak that is an indicator of Li plating during fast charging, which grows in magnitude as charging rate increases; 2) the plating IC peak correlates with the voltage minimum of the graphite anode, indicating a transition from intercalation to plating; 3) the plating IC peak is sensitive to small amounts of Li plating; 4) IC analysis can be applied to study Li plating in novel cell architectures; 5) the plating IC peak evolves during extended fast-charge cycling, which is a result of reduced Li plating as the Li inventory decreases.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗

Neutron Absorber Plate Characterization Plan for Criticality Experiments Design

After being used in nuclear installations, depleted fuel can still be highly reactive and must be handled securely to prevent any radiological or criticality concerns. In particular, spent fuel from use in nuclear power reactors must be stored and transported in specifically designed containers using neutron absorber materials to prevent criticality. Various neutron absorber material types exist and are manufactured by various entities, as thoroughly described in the Handbook of Neutron Absorber Materials for Spent Nuclear Fuel Storage and Transportation Applications written by EPRI. Presently, one of the most modern and most widely used types of neutron absorber material contains particles of boron carbide, or B 4 C, embedded in aluminum matrix: Boralcan, manufactured by Rio Tinto. It is very important for the community to know as much as possible about such neutron absorber materials. Therefore, in the recent years, a US Department of Energy National Nuclear Security Administration–Nuclear Criticality Safety Program funded project initiated design of an experiment that places Boralcan neutron-absorbing plates in an established critical assembly using low-enriched uranium fuel at the Sandia Pulsed Reactor Facility/Critical Experiments (SPRF/CX) apparatus at Sandia National Laboratories. The goal of the experiment is to produce high-quality benchmark data to submit to the International Criticality Safety Benchmark Evaluation Project (ICSBEP), for use in validating calculational tools and nuclear data by criticality safety analysts. The project, named IER-554, is currently in its final design stage, following a successful preliminary design. In the work documented in the design study, ten critical configurations using Boralcan neutron absorber plates were designed, and the experiment was proven to be feasible, with a predicted low k eff uncertainty around 100 pcm. An overview of the modeled cutout of the critical assembly with a Boralcan plate is shown in Figure 1, representing one of the configurations planned for the critical experiments. Before the plates are inserted in the critical assembly, it is necessary to know more about their composition and uniformity. This summary focuses on the plate characterization plans. Each plate will undergo (1) neutron transmission measurements at different locations to determine the 10 B areal density and (2) an in-depth x-ray computed tomography (XCT) examination to obtain the exact Sizes and distribution of the B4C powder particles inside the plates. In parallel, plate modeling studies are performed with a goal to determine the validity of the currently used approximation of modeling the neutron absorber plates as a homogeneous mixture of Aluminum 1100 alloy and B4C— instead of explicitly modeling the B4C particles. By using the experimental 10 B areal density measurements, and the exact size and location of the B4C particles obtained by XCT, a plate model can theoretically be built that reproduces the plate with extremely high fidelity. The results of this modeling study could increase the confidence of the criticality safety community in its modeling methods when using this type of neutron absorber material, and the industry could use these validations to change the boron loading credit limits from the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission standard review plan for dry cask storage of spent nuclear fuel. The modeling calculations are performed with SCALE 6.3.0 using the KENO V.a sequence for criticality calculations with the ENDF/B-VIII.0 continuous-energy cross section library.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗

Cooling plate assembly for plasma windows positioned in a beam accelerator system

A beam accelerator system operable to produce a medical isotope, including an ion accelerator that generates an ion beam; a low-pressure chamber; an anode adjacent and fluidly connected to the low-pressure chamber; a plasma window adjacent and fluidly connected to the anode; and a cathode housing adjacent and fluidly connected to the plasma window. The plasma window has a plurality of plates, each plate having an aperture that is aligned with an aperture in one or more adjacent plates to form a plasma channel. One or more plates in the plurality of plates includes a unitary plate having an aperture therein, and one or more cooling channels entering the unitary plate at a first side of the unitary plate and exiting the unitary plate at a second side of the unitary plate. The one or more cooling channels run through a thickness of the unitary plate.

Gribb, Tye↗

SIRT1 targeted by miR ‐211‐5p regulated proliferation and apoptosis of Dex‐treated growth plate chondrocytes via mediating SOX2

Abstract Dexamethasone (Dex) is reported to cause bone growth retardation in children, which is associated with the increased apoptosis and decreased proliferation of growth plate chondrocytes. Sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) plays an important role in chondrocyte function and homeostasis. Thus, we further explored the regulatory mechanism of SIRT1 in Dex‐induced growth plate chondrocyte dysfunction. SIRT1 expression was detected in Dex‐treated growth plate chondrocytes using RT‐qPCR and western blot assay. The modulation of SIRT1 on SOX2 expression was evaluated. Besides, we identified that SIRT1 was targeted by miR‐211‐5p using TargetScan and RNA pull‐down assay. A loss‐of‐function assay was performed to evaluate the effects of miR‐211‐5p on Dex‐induced growth plate chondrocyte dysfunction in vitro and in vivo. We found that SIRT1 was downregulated in Dex‐treated growth plate chondrocytes. The expression of SOX2 was upregulated by overexpression SIRT1. Meanwhile, downregulation of SOX2 weakened the positive function of SIRT1 overexpression on Dex‐induced growth plate chondrocytes dysfunction. Subsequently, we confirmed that SIRT1 was targeted by miR‐211‐5p. MiR‐211‐5p inhibitor increased the expression levels of SIRT1 and SOX2, and restored the Dex‐treated growth plate chondrocyte function. Animal assays further demonstrated that the effects of miR‐211‐5p on the growth plate chondrogenesis. In conclusion, our data suggest that SIRT1 exerts a protective effect on growth plate chondrocyte under Dex stimulation. MiR‐211‐5p/SIRT1/SOX2 axis regulates the process of Dex‐inhibited growth plate chondrogenesis.

Cheng, Deliang↗

Analytical and Numerical Analysis of Lithium Plating Onset in Single and Bilayer Graphite Electrodes during Fast Charging

Lithium plating is commonly observed in anodes charged at fast rates, and can lead to capacity loss and battery safety issues. The increased risk of plating has been attributed to transport limitations, and architectured electrodes may reduce plating risk. However, while theoretical studies have shown that reaction non-uniformity arises due to interplay of transport limitations, anode open circuit voltage behavior and reaction kinetics, its effect on lithium plating has not been studied. We use analytic and numerical simulations to predict onset of plating in graphite anode half-cells at high C-rates and demonstrate how anodes with layered porosities can delay plating. Simplified analytical models identify trends for plating onset and predictions are calibrated against numerical models. A calibrated numerical model of graphite demonstrates qualitative agreement with analytical model predictions. This reaction inhomogeneity mechanism occurs in the absence of lithium ion depletion, indicating that these mechanisms may contribute to capacity loss independently or simultaneously. A bilayer model of graphite exhibits delayed plating onset, and an optimization procedure is presented. This theoretical work presents quantitative and mechanistic insight on how reaction inhomogenity affects lithium metal plating onset and can be used as a guide to engineer anodes resistant to lithium plating.

Mijailovic, Aleksandar S.↗

Flow maldistribution in plate heat exchangers – Impact, analysis, and solutions

Plate heat exchangers are commonly used in various industrial applications, such as refrigeration, air conditioning, heat pumps, powerplants, and chemical industries. Plate heat exchangers are well known for their superior heat transfer performance, compactness, and low refrigerant charge. Despite offering several advantages, they suffer from flow maldistribution issues. The flow maldistribution can deteriorate both the heat transfer and pressure drop performance, ultimately resulting in a lower system efficiency where plate heat exchangers are deployed. The flow maldistribution issues become more pronounced when the heat exchanger size is relatively large and the number of plates is higher, limiting the deployment of plate heat exchangers in larger industrial systems. Consequently, analyzing and understanding the flow maldistribution behavior in plate heat exchangers and finding ways to mitigate flow maldistribution related issues become essential topics of interest. Further, this review aims to address the effect of flow maldistribution on plate heat exchanger characteristics. First, the experimental and numerical works on flow maldistribution under single-phase and two-phase conditions are detailed. Subsequently, the end-channel and end-plate effects are discussed. Then, the methods to mitigate flow maldistribution in plate heat exchangers are outlined. Finally, based on a thorough literature survey and industrial requirements, future research directions are recommended.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗

Delayed Critical and Subcritical Experiments with Polyethylene Moderated Unreflected Thin 15 in. Diameter HEU Metal Plates

The thin ~15 in. diameter highly enriched uranium (HEU) metal plates were assembled to delayed criticality at the Oak Ridge Critical Experiments Facility (ORCEF) in 1969 with various thicknesses of polyethylene (varying from 1/16 to 2$\frac{3}{8}$ inches) between uranium metal plates. The average 235 U enrichment was 93.27 wt. %. These unreflected critical configurations contained 4$\frac{2}{3}$ to 20$\frac{5}{6}$ thin 15 in. diameter HEU metal plates (on loan from Los Alamos National Laboratory [LANL] and shipped to Oak Ridge National Laboratory [ORNL] on June 3, 1969). Depending on the thickness of polyethylene, the enriched uranium masses varying from 28,053 to 135,148 grams. Fractional plate sections consisted of the appropriate number of 60° pie sections. In addition to the measurement at delayed criticality, subcritical measurements were also performed by the inverse kinetic rod drop method. Prompt neutron decay constant measurements were also performed by the Rossi alpha and randomly pulsed neutron method using a time-tagged spontaneous fission californium neutron source; these are briefly reported here. At the time of these measurements in 1969, the thin HEU metal plates were in near-pristine condition with extremely little oxidation, allowing better descriptions of the uranium plates than the use of these plates in a heavily oxidized and deteriorated condition in recent reflected benchmark experiments at the LANL facility at the Nevada Test Site with these same thin highly enriched uranium metal plates. This report documents the experimental information for the measurements performed so that later researchers can perform the required uncertainty and calculational analyses and documentation to use these data for an International Nuclear Criticality Safety Benchmark Evaluation Program (ICSBEP) or a Nuclear Energy Agency (NEA) benchmark. Data from the experiments described should be acceptable for use as criticality safety benchmark experiments for the ICSBEP and the NEA nuclear criticality safety benchmark program once the uncertainty analysis on the measured neutron multiplication factors is completed. Additional data—such as the dimensional inspection reports, uranium isotopic information, and other relevant particulars—should be retrieved from the Y-12 Plant or LANL and incorporated in the final ICSBEP benchmark. Based on previous ICSBEP benchmarks with this enriched uranium metal at ORCEF, the uncertainties in $k_{eff}$ could be as low as ± 0.0002 for some configurations. Other experiments with smaller-diameter than 15 in. diameter HEU metal plates have been benchmarked in HEU-METFAST-001. The prompt neutron time decay measurements could be the basis for an International Reactor Physics Benchmark Program. Preparation of the present report is part of an effort at ORNL to document more than 15 undocumented critical and subcritical experiments enumerated in ORNL/TM-2019/18 and performed by ORNL at ORCEF and other US Department of Energy critical experiments facilities using more than 500 operational days of critical facility time. This work for this report publication was supported by the Nuclear Criticality, Radiation Transport and Safety NCSP Program at ORNL.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

Evaluation of flow-induced plate deflection for University of Missouri research reactor low-enriched uranium fuel element

The University of Missouri Research Reactor (MURR), located on the campus of the University of Missouri in Columbia, Missouri, is one of the six United States (U.S.) High Performance Research Reactors (USHPRR), including one critical facility, that are actively collaborating with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) Office of Material Management and Minimization (M3) Reactor Conversion Program to convert from highly enriched uranium (HEU, ≥20 wt% U-235) fuel to low-enriched uranium (LEU, <20 wt% U-235) fuel. A new type of very high-density LEU fuel based on a monolithic alloy of uranium and 10 wt% molybdenum (U-10Mo) is expected to allow conversion of some USHPRR, including MURR. In the design of its fuel elements, MURR is using thin parallel curved fuel plates separated by coolant channels. In this work, fluid-structure interaction (FSI) analysis of the MURR LEU fuel element is performed at the element level (as compared to the plate level analysis), which models all components of the LEU fuel element, including fuel plates and the supporting structures. Therefore, the effect of supporting structures on the flow distribution within the element and the fuel plate deflection are evaluated. In addition to the element nominal flow rate and dimensions, the tolerances in the geometry of the coolant channel and plate thickness, the effect of a comb on plate deflection, and the uncertainty of the flow rate per element are evaluated. For the LEU fuel plates, which are thinner than the current HEU plates, the predicted plate deflection is found to be small compared to the fabrication and assembly tolerances. Thus, the FSI-induced deflections are not expected to noticeably reduce the coolant flow rate or predicted safety margins in the limiting channels for the MURR LEU fuel element. In addition to the simulation work, a hydraulic performance test of the MURR LEU fuel element is currently being planned to support conversion to the use of LEU fuel.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗

Lithium Plating Characteristics in High Areal Capacity Li-Ion Battery Electrodes

Li-ion battery degradation and safety events are often attributed to undesirable metallic lithium plating. Since their release, Li-ion battery electrodes have been made progressively thicker to provide a higher energy density. However, the propensity for plating in these thicker pairings is not well understood. Herein, we combine an experimental plating-prone condition with robust mesoscale modeling to examine electrode pairings with capacities ranging from 2.5 to 6 mAh/cm 2 and negative to positive (N/P) electrode areal capacity ratio from 0.9 to 1.8 without the need for extensive aging tests. Using both experimentation and a mesoscale model, we identify a shift from conventional high state-of-charge (SOC) type plating to high overpotential (OP) type plating as electrode thickness increases. Further, these two plating modes have distinct morphologies, identified by optical microscopy and electrochemical signatures. We demonstrate that under operating conditions where these plating modes converge, a high propensity of plating exists, revealing the importance of predicting and avoiding this overlap for a given electrode pairing. Further, we identify that thicker electrodes, beyond a capacity of 3 mAh/cm 2 or thickness >75 μm, are prone to high OP, limiting negative electrode (NE) utilization and preventing cross-sectional oversizing the NE from mitigating plating. Here, it simply contributes to added mass and volume. The experimental thermal gradient and mesoscale model either combined or independently provide techniques capable of probing performance and safety implications of mild changes to electrode design features.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗

A “Master Curve” Describing Reaction Inhomogeneity and Plating Onset during Fast-Charging of Graphite Electrodes

Lithium plating in porous graphite electrodes is a major limitation for fast charging. Theoretical evidence suggests plating during fast charging is largely due to inhomogeneous intercalation through the electrode thickness (caused by ionic/mass transfer limitations and inherent thermodynamic properties of the graphite material). Numerical and analytical predictions of plating onset during fast charging have been proposed but not compared directly with experiments. This work validates these model predictions against plating onset measurements via the “dOCV” method in graphite half-cells, for various electrode thicknesses and C-rates. Remarkably, it is shown that experimental and theoretical trends in plating onset (vs C-rate and electrode thickness) collapse to a single “master curve” using a nondimensional “reaction inhomogeneity” parameter. This observation supports the hypothesized reaction inhomogeneity mechanism for accelerating plating onset and provides practical guidance for electrode design. Furthermore, this work develops theory to quantify reaction inhomogeneity in situ directly from voltage V vs capacity Q data, using dQ / dV analysis. Here again, experiments and numerical predictions show good agreement, where peaks that correspond to LiC 6 correlate with plating onset. This work provides experimental validation of theoretical tools that can predict plating onset, aid electrode design, and give insight for plating onset mechanisms during fast charging.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗

Copper plating qualification process for the fundamental power coupler waveguides for CEBAF cryomodules

To provide sufficient energy for CEBAF operation, cryomodules and components are being refurbished yearly as necessary. Copper plated fundamental power coupler waveguides are important components of the cryomodules. The integrity and quality of copper plating is critical to reduce the heat load from the waveguides into the He bath at 2.07 K. A search of copper plating resources is underway for plating or re-plating CEBAF-style waveguides. This effort ensures a continuous capability of copper plating on cryomodule components, especially on waveguides. To qualify plating vendors, the waveguide copper plating specifications were revisited, and a thorough plating evaluation process is being developed. The evaluation process ranges from coupon testing to sample waveguide qualification. Recent results are summarized and future work is planned.

Zhao, Liang↗

Multi-Axis Resonant Plate Shock Testing Evaluation and Test Specification Development

Resonant plate testing is a shock test method that is frequently used to simulate pyroshock events in the laboratory. Recently, it was discovered that if the unit under test is installed at an off-center location, a tri-axial accelerometer would record a shock response in three directions and the resulting shock response spectra implied that the test may have qualified the component in three directions simultaneously. The purpose of this research project was to evaluate this idea of multi-axis shock testing to determine if it was truly a multi-axis shock environment and if such a test could be used as an equivalent component qualification test. A study was conducted using generic, additively manufactured components tested on a resonant plate, along with an investigation of plate motion to evaluate the component response to off- center plate excitation. The data obtained here along with the analytical simulations performed indicate that off-center resonant plate tests are actually not three-axis shock tests, but rather single axis shocks at an arbitrary angle dictated by the location of the unit under test on the plate. This conclusion is supported by the fact that only one vectored shock input is provided to the component in a resonant plate test. Thus, the output response is a coupled response of the transverse plate vibration and the rotational motion of the component on the plate. Additionally, a multi-axis shock test defined by three single axis test environments always results in a significant component over-test in one direction.

42 ENGINEERING↗

Copper plating qualification process for the fundamental power coupler waveguides for CEBAF cryomodules

To provide sufficient energy for CEBAF operation, cryomodules and components are being refurbished yearly as necessary. Copper plated fundamental power coupler waveguides are important components of the cryomodules. The integrity and quality of copper plating is critical to reduce the heat load from the waveguides into the He bath at 2.07 K. A search of copper plating resources is underway for plating or re-plating CEBAF-style waveguides. This effort ensures a continuous capability of copper plating on cryomodule components, especially on waveguides. To qualify plating vendors, the waveguide copper plating specifications were revisited, and a thorough plating evaluation process is being developed. The evaluation process ranges from coupon testing to sample waveguide qualification. Recent results are summarized and future work is planned.

Zhao, Liang↗

Plate heat exchanger for heating or cooling bulk solids

A heat exchanger includes an inlet for receiving bulk solids, a plurality of heat transfer plate assemblies, a plurality of spacers disposed between adjacent heat transfer plate assemblies, and supports for supporting the heat transfer plate assemblies. The heat transfer plate assemblies include a first plate having a first pair of holes extending therethrough, the first plate having channels extending along a surface thereof, for the flow of fluid through the channels, and a second plate bonded to the first plate to enclose the channels, the second plate including a second pair of holes generally aligned with the first pair of holes to form through holes to facilitate flow of the fluid through the through holes and the channels.

Byman, Ashley D.↗

Sensitivity and reliability of key electrochemical markers for detecting lithium plating during extreme fast charging

Lithium plating is one of the key challenges for enabling extreme fast charging (XFC, ≤10 to 15 min charging at ≥6C) in graphite-based lithium-ion batteries. Significant R&D effort has been focused on how to mitigate Li plating. Parallel effort is also being devoted to developing methods to detect Li plating when and if it happens during fast charging. In that regard, electrochemical (EC) signature-based detection techniques are less resource intensive, more convenient, and more practical from an end-user application perspective. However, a comprehensive understanding of key plating related EC signatures for extreme fast charging is presently unavailable. In particular, there exist distinct issues of unreliability with key plating-related EC signatures—e.g., incremental capacity (dQ.dV -1 ), differential OCV (dOCV.dt -1 ), end of lithiation (EOL) rest voltage—at XFC conditions, and the underlying reasons have not been explored and identified methodically. Using a comprehensive test matrix and XFC conditions with Li/graphite half cells, this article highlights the unreliability issues associated with the EC Li plating diagnostics and explains the underlying root cause. This study finds distinct sensitivity and unreliability issues with plating related dQ.dV -1 , dOCV.dt -1 , and EOL rest voltage signatures with charging rates. Furthermore, the complex interaction between graphite and plated Li that happens through multiple competing mechanisms —Li stripping and chemical intercalation— at different charging rates is at the core of the sensitivity and unreliability issue.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗

Ultra-low thermal resistance and pressure drop copper and copper-tungsten diamond-shaped pin fin cold plates for liquid cooling of electronics

Modern and future data centers face increasing cooling challenges due to increasing chip thermal design power and die size, along with the need to reduce energy consumption used for cooling. High performance cooling solutions that maintain a low chip junction temperature are needed to ensure electronics reliability. This work develops an ultra-low thermal resistance and low pressure drop 75 mm × 75 mm cold plate, intended for next-generation electronics cooling. The cold plate features an array of diamond-shaped pin fins and integrated copper tungsten heat spreader, selected for its low coefficient of thermal expansion which reduces thermomechanical deformation and allows for closer integration of the cold plate with silicon dies. Starting with 300 candidate designs, three-dimensional computational fluid dynamics simulations predict the thermal-hydraulic performance of cold plate subsections. The highest performing geometries are evaluated with high fidelity simulations. Four cold plates are manufactured for experiments: three with diamond-shaped pin fins and one with straights fins for comparison purposes. The cold plates are fabricated from copper-tungsten (CuW), copper (Cu), or aluminum-silicon-magnesium alloy (AlSi10Mg). The diamond-shaped pin fins achieve a roughly 15 % lower thermal resistance compared to the conventional straight fin microchannel. The highest performing design achieves a chip-to-coolant (including thermal interface material) thermal resistance of 9.0 K/kW in CuW and 6.9 K/kW in Cu under a 1 kW heat load with an inlet-to-outlet pressure drop of 9.0 kPa and water as the working fluid. This work demonstrates ultra-low thermal resistance and pressure drop cold plates for large die, high heat load applications, and shows that CuW is an attractive cold plate material for improved reliability in next generation data center cooling.

Coefficient of thermal expansion↗

Microstructure Scale Lithium-Ion Battery Modeling: Part III. When and Where Lithium Plating Occurs and its Correlation with the Electrode Microstructure

Li-ion battery performance and degradation are closely related to the cell’s underlying electrode microstructure. Electrode microstructures are typically characterized with volume-averaged properties that neglect the impact of local heterogeneities. However, local heterogeneities create hot spots that can trigger degradation onset. Herein, a microstructure scale electrochemical model is used to investigate the impact of microstructure heterogeneity on lithium plating. The model predicts lithium plating is not uniform, even when considering a relatively small portion of the electrode (a cross-sectional area of 154×144 µm 2 ), preferring to plate on larger particles as compared to smaller particles. While local heterogeneities control where plating occurs, the model predicts that volume-averaged properties control when plating occurs. Additionally, the model predicts that the active material specific surface area has a linear relationship with the plating onset. However, the linear relationship between increased active material surface area and delayed plating response appears to be sensitive to the microstructure feature used to increase the active interface area. Here, a comparative case-study is explored where the specific surface area is increased by either reducing the active material particle diameter, adding open-porosity cracks, or increasing the active material surface roughness. The model predicts that increasing the specific surface area by reducing the active material particle diameter is the most effective strategy for delaying lithium plating. At 6C, reducing particle size is shown to be 3 and 20 times more effective than, respectively, adding open-porosity cracks and increasing surface roughness. A dual-layer electrode architecture combining gradations both for average properties and uniformities is eventually proposed to improve homogeneous material utilization and reduce degradation at high charge rates.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗

Quantification of heterogeneous, irreversible lithium plating in extreme fast charging of lithium-ion batteries

Realization of extreme fast charging (XFC, ≤15 minutes) of lithium-ion batteries is imperative for the widespread adoption of electric vehicles. However, dramatic capacity fading is associated with XFC, limiting its implementation. To quantitatively elucidate the effects of irreversible lithium plating and other degradation mechanisms on the cell capacity, it is important to understand the links between lithium plating and cell degradation at both the local and global (over the full cell) scales. Here, we study the nature of local lithium plating after hundreds of XFC cycles (charging C-rates ranging from 4C to 9C) in industrially-relevant pouch cells using spatially resolved X-ray diffraction. Our results reveal a spatial correlation at the mm scale between irreversible lithium plating on the anode, inactive lithiated graphite phases, and local state-of-charge of the cathode. In regions of plated lithium, additional lithium is locally and irreversibly trapped as lithiated graphite, contributing to the loss of lithium inventory (LLI) and to a local loss of active anode material. The total LLI in the cell from irreversibly plated lithium is linearly correlated to the capacity loss in the batteries after XFC cycling, with a non-zero offset originating from other parasitic side reactions. Finally, at the global (cell) scale, LLI drives the capacity fade, rather than electrode degradation. We anticipate that the understanding of lithium plating and other degradation mechanisms during XFC gained in this work will help lead to new approaches towards designing high-rate batteries in which irreversible lithium plating is minimized.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗