(a) Cell schematic for operando neutron radiography. (b) example of measured grayscale neutron transmission. (c)transmission values averaged across battery thickness (d) radiographs show ratio of attenuation coefficients (compared to a pristine state).Dark colors indicate lower presence of lithium.
Scientific Achievement
We developed TWIF-Li (Tortuosity-Weighted Interfacial Flux for Lithium) that predicts lithium transport and reaction heterogeneity in thick all-solid-state battery cathodes.
Significance and Impact
TWIF-Li was validated directly against operando neutron radiography without any fitting to cycling data.The work shows how to overcome the issue that many high-strength AM alloys exhibit lower ductility than desired for applications.
Research Details
- Simulations show asynchronous behavior emerging from kinetic limitations at higher current densities.
- Operando neutron radiography at C/10 and C/5 tracked through-thickness Li distributions at MARS.
- Data collected at VENUS showed no beam hardening effects at the wavelength range used at MARS.
“Operando neutron radiography validates a parameter-free transport–kinetics model for thick solid-state battery cathodes,” Materials Horizons 13, 13 (2026)
https://doi.org/10.1039/d6mh00464d
NScD Key Contributors
Yuxan Zhang, Jean-Christophe Bilheaux, Cheng Li, Hassina Bilheaux, and Guang Yang
