Operando Li-metal plating diagnostics of Lithium-Ion Batteries
– A novel approach for non-destructive and real-time SOH estimation –

Toyota Central R&D Labs, Inc. has developed a technology that can detect lithium (Li) metal plating inside Li-ion batteries (LiBs) from the response of high-frequency current.
Unlike data-driven analysis, our technology can directly detect Li-metal plating in real-time and nondestructively. Therefore, it expected to be a technology for sensing the battery condition, which is required when LiBs are used for long periods of time, such as for reuse.
These results were published in Springer-Nature’s journal Nature Communications (online) on November 10, 2023. For the full text of the press release (in Japanese), please click here.

【Summary】
◆We have found that applying a specific high-frequency current to a lithium-ion battery makes it easier to detect the movement of electrons in the battery without being affected much by the internal structures of the battery or the movement of the Li-ion. ◆Using the phenomenon that the presence of Li-metal on the surface of the anode of a LiB decreases the electrical resistance inside the LiB, the presence of Li-metal plating was diagnosed. ◆Since this approach can detect Li-metal plating in real-time and non-destructively, it is expected to be applied to a safety diagnostic technology required for long-term use of LiBs.
【Article Information】
Title：Operando Li Metal Plating Diagnostics via MHz Band Electromagnetics
Authors：Ishigaki, M., Ishikawa, K., Usuki, T., Kondo, H., Komagata, S., Sasaki, T.
Journal Name：Nature Communications
Published：November 10, 2023
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-023-43138-w