Electrochemical energy storage

Developing measurement and modelling techniques to maximise the performance, durability, sustainability and safety of next-generation batteries

NPL has established an extensive collaborative research programme in metrology for high energy density batteries, drawing together world-leading measurement expertise from NPL groups in a range of multi-disciplinary areas, including:

• Electrochemistry
• Dimensional metrology
• Thermal metrology
• Electromagnetics
• Data science
• Materials characterisation
• Acoustics

The focus of our work is on the development and application of in situ diagnostic techniques, modelling tools and standard test methods for Li-ion and next-generation batteries to support cost reduction, lifetime extension, ease of reuse/recycling, and improvements in safety.

Our government-funded research is guided by an Industrial Advisory Group, ensuring that the direction of our work is informed by current and future industry needs. A broader stakeholder consultation has also been conducted by NPL to identify and prioritise key measurement issues for the UK battery community:

• Report on highest priority measurement needs in the battery industry

We maintain strong links with academia and industry, participating in both collaborative R&D and commercial contract research/testing. In particular, NPL is contributing to the objectives of the UK Faraday Battery Challenge by providing measurement and standards support to projects coordinated by the Faraday Institution, Innovate UK and the UK Battery Industrialisation Centre.

Examples of recent and ongoing collaborative research projects include:

• FutureCat, a Faraday Institution project developing next-generation cathode materials for Li-ion batteries, in which NPL is leading the development and application of standard test protocols to generate more reliable and inter-comparable test data
• LiBforSecUse, a European metrology research project developing standard protocols for measurement of state-of-health of commercial Li-ion cells for second life applications, using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy
• VALUABLE, an Innovate UK Faraday project to develop rapid testing and measurement approaches towards recycling, reuse and remanufacturing of automotive Li-ion batteries at their end-of-life
• OpMetBat, a new European metrology research project aimed at establishing a metrological framework for traceable operando characterisation of state-of-the-art battery materials under dynamic charge/discharge conditions

Selected recent publications:

• Guidelines on interpreting differential analysis of galvanostatic battery cycling data
• An improvement on the previous state-of-the-art Raman cell configuration for operando measurements on commercially-sourced electrodes
• A review of electrochemical impedance spectroscopy measurements for commercial Li-ion cells 
• Microstructural evolution of battery electrodes during calendering
• Identifying defects in Li-ion cells using ultrasound
• Insight into performance-controlling effects in the 3D microstructure of Li-ion battery electrodes using X-ray nano-computed tomography and modelling
• Review of the use of reference electrodes in diagnostics for Li-ion batteries

We have a broad range of experimental and modelling capabilities that can support your measurement and testing needs, either directly through contract research/testing or via government-supported programmes such as Analysis for Innovators and Measurement for Recovery.

Find out more about NPL's energy storage services

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