Session: 14 - 01 Ultrasonic Arrays I

Paper Number: 118531

118531 - Ultrasonic Phased Array Imaging of Gas Evolution in a Lithium-Ion Battery 

This work presents an in-situ subsurface ultrasonic imaging method using a phased array to detect, localize and characterize gassing and its evolution in a lithium-ion battery (LIB). Ultrasonic signals scattered from gases inside the battery are collected by a Full Matrix Capture (FMC) method using multiple transmitter-receiver pairs. A subsurface image showing gases is produced by using the Total Focusing Method (TFM), and the locations of gases can be clearly revealed. The through-thickness  physical property of the multi-layer battery structure is also considered in the imaging method which significantly improves the accuracy of gas imaging and localization. We first conducted finite element numerical simulations to model wave propagations and evaluate the performance of the array imaging method. The numerical results demonstrate high levels of accuracy of detecting and localizing gases of different sizes. Subsequently, a controlled experiment using encapsulated gases inside a self-stacked battery sample is performed to validate the feasibility of the approach in practice. Finally, a realistic long-term cycling experiment with a commercial LIB is run and gas evolution is visualized via the array imaging approach. The experiment findings are validated against the X-ray CT results, which demonstrate that the new ultrasonic method can be used to detect and monitor early-stage gas evolution inside LIBs.

Presenting Author: Wuke Xu Hong Kong University of Science and Technology

Presenting Author Biography: PhD candidate in Hong Kong University of Science and Technology,