Overview

• Scientists at Virginia Tech developed a novel imaging technique that allows real-time observation of working batteries, a discovery made while experimenting with new electrolyte materials.
• The technique enables detailed study of battery interfaces, previously considered one of the most elusive and challenging areas of battery science.
• Using the tender energy X-ray beam line at Brookhaven National Laboratory, researchers identified how internal battery support structures degrade during cycling, leading to failure.
• The research focuses on multiphase polymer electrolytes, which show potential for safer, more energy-dense, and cost-effective batteries compared to conventional materials.
• This collaborative effort, funded by the U.S. Department of Energy, is expected to guide the design of improved battery interfaces and interphases for future applications in electric vehicles and renewable energy storage.