Advanced Neutron Imaging for Solid-State Batteries in Action (ANISSA)

The ANISSA project will accelerate early science at ESS and address a major challenge of exceptional societal impact: the realization of high-energy density solid-state battery technologies.

ANISSA will focus on dual-modality, multi-spectral and high-speed 3D imaging techniques to reveal the evolution of microstructure and the distribution and movement of lithium in solid-state battery material components and in complete devices under realistic environmental conditions of varying temperature and mechanical load.

These tools will also enable investigations of a large flora of battery chemistries, including the dominant Li-ion types, thereby creating a long-lasting benefit and impact also for future research and development. Three major imaging developments are targeted: 1.

A combined high-resolution X-ray and neutron imaging methodology with much improved spatial resolutions to link Li mobility and distributions to 3D morphology changes in solid-state batteries correlated to the electrochemical performance during operation; 2. a novel isotope mapping technique in combination with 4D multi-spectral imaging capabilities exploiting the contrast variations between 6Li, 7Li, natLi to reveal key details on the dynamic properties of lithium diffusion; 3. an optimized cell design for multi-modal and multi-spectral correlative imaging in combination with a dedicated portable in-situ sample environment for solid-state battery operation for use at ESS as soon as it comes into operation.