Watching batteries charge at the molecular level – this is what researchers from the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) and the University of Münster want to do using the new measuring instrument NAPXAS at the Karlsruhe Research Accelerator (KARA). It makes liquids accessible for synchrotron research and thus enables unique insights into energy storage processes.
Synchrotron radiation is electromagnetic radiation from particle accelerators, for example in the form of soft X-rays. It provides insights into the internal structure and functionality of materials and therefore plays an important role in the development of cutting-edge technologies. Soft X-rays (with wavelengths of around one to two nanometers) are ideal for research into electrochemical storage for the energy transition, but so far they have only been used to a limited extent. “The battery material had to be laboriously extracted under protective gas, dried, glued to suitable sample carriers and transferred into the vacuum of a measuring chamber – without contamination by air or moisture,” says Dr. Peter Nagel from the Institute for Quantum Materials and Technologies (IQMT) at KIT. “In order to look at entire charging cycles, these work steps had to be carried out on hundreds of differently prepared batteries.”
This is now set to change with the new measuring instrument NAPXAS (stands for: Near Ambient Pressure X-ray Absorption Spectroscopy ), which was set up at the IQMT’s WERA soft “With NAPXAS, energy conversion and aging processes in energy storage systems can be examined spectroscopically under normal wet chemical conditions, live while the energy storage device is being operated,” explains Nagel, who leads the work on behalf of KIT.
Re-examining the boundaries of lithium-ion technology
NAPXAS will initially be used in the LimLi research project (stands for: Overcoming limitations in Li-ion batteries ) at the University of Münster. Dr. Karin Kleiner, who leads the research for the MEET (Münster Electrochemical Energy Technology) battery research center at the University of Münster, explains: “We want to understand what limits the energy storage capacity of lithium-ion batteries at the atomic level in order to be able to overcome these limits. By combining theoretical and innovative experimental approaches, we gain unique insights into energy storage processes. Our goal is to develop new, more efficient energy storage and converters by systematically changing the active centers in battery materials.”
Available internationally for research
The new measuring device is being optimized in the current test phase. The synchrotron radiation necessary for the measurements is provided by KARA, which is operated as an accelerator test facility and as a KIT Light Source by the Institute for Accelerator Physics and Technology. After completion of this test phase, the intention is to enable researchers worldwide to use the new NAPXAS measuring instrument at WERA via the Karlsruhe Nano Micro Facility, a high-tech platform for research on functional materials in the micro and nano range. The material resources for NAPXAS are provided by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research via the LimLi research project.
Further information
Details about the KIT Energy Center
Detailed caption: Dr. threading the new measuring instrument NAPXAS at the KIT Light Source. Peter Nagel, Dr. Karin Kleiner and Amir Ghiami (from left to right) put the beam into the measuring chamber for the first test measurements. (Photo: Amadeus Bramsiepe, KIT)
As “The Research University in the Helmholtz Association,” KIT creates and imparts knowledge for society and the environment. The aim is to make significant contributions to global challenges in the fields of energy, mobility and information. To this end, around 10,000 employees work together on a broad disciplinary basis in natural sciences, engineering, economics, humanities and social sciences. KIT prepares its 22,800 students for responsible tasks in society, business and science through research-oriented university studies. The innovation activity at KIT builds the bridge between knowledge and application for social benefit, economic prosperity and the preservation of our natural resources. KIT is one of the German universities of excellence.
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