Postmortem analysis: pulse charging effects on electrodes

Research Project, 2025 – 2026

In the previous project “Durability effects of high frequency pulse charging” (SEC-12098), lift time testing on 54 cells has been performed to evaluate how different pulse frequencies and amplitudes affect the lifespan. Very interesting results have been obtained where frequencies above 100 mHz show extended lifespan. In order to expand the analysis for these interesting results, this project is being sought to perform postmortem analysis of the aged cells from the SEC-12098 project. The project will also contribute to competence building where part of the postmortem analysis is that the participating researchers at Chalmers and SEEL will learn to use Scania CV AB's patented OLSA method to measure local charge levels on electrodes. By correlating the results from the OLSA method with local detailed microscopy analysis, we expect to be able to identify, for example, areas with severe degradation. We can then carry out a more detailed microscopy analysis to study the aging mechanisms that have occurred. Furthermore, the project will provide an opportunity to continue the development of a machine learning method to estimate the volume of different materials in electrodes from SEM images.