Students from London Academy of Excellence - Stratford along with Fellow Scott Young from UCL Medical Physics & Biomedical Engineering investigated the degradation of Solid-state batteries (SSBs). SSBs hold immense promise as the next generation of energy storage devices, offering increased safety, energy density, and reduced form factor compared to conventional lithium-ion batteries. However, their susceptibility to degradation, such as cracking and void formation, remains a significant challenge.

In this research, students employed operando X-ray computed tomography (XCT) to non-destructively monitor the degradation of a solid-state lithium-ion battery during operation. By capturing detailed 3D images of the battery's internal structure at various stages of its lifecycle, they were able to observe the development of defects and correlate these observations with changes in battery performance.

The study revealed that the degradation of the SSB was not uniform, with localized regions experiencing more severe damage. This suggests that the degradation process is influenced by factors such as the distribution of materials within the battery and the interactions between different components. Additionally, the students identified the formation of dimples at the interface between the battery's electrodes, which may contribute to the observed degradation.

These findings offer valuable insights into the underlying mechanisms of SSB degradation and provide a foundation for future research aimed at developing strategies to mitigate these issues. By understanding the root causes of degradation, scientists can then work towards creating more robust and reliable solid-state batteries that pave the way for a sustainable energy future!