From our mobile devices to the transportation that moves us, batteries are critical to our everyday lives. New and improved battery technology is particularly vital as we strive to improve our impact on the planet with energy-efficient electric vehicles and sustainable energy sources.
With superior energy and power density performance compared to other commercially available battery technology, lithium-ion batteries are highly efficient energy storage devices with a market that continues to grow at double-digit rates. Now, the ongoing challenge is developing batteries that are safer, more powerful, longer lasting and more cost effective.
By combining analytical techniques such as micro-computed tomography (microCT), scanning and transmission electron microscopy (SEM and TEM), DualBeam (focused ion beam SEM; FIB-SEM), Raman spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and advanced 3D visualization and analysis software (Avizo), researchers can obtain the critical structural and chemical information they need to build better batteries.
Thermo Fisher Scientific offers a range of tools that excel at both microscopic and spectroscopic analysis. With our Thermo Scientific HeliScan microCT, researchers can build a high-resolution 3D model of the entire battery with one continuous scan; our scanning and transmission electron microscopes, along with our DualBeam systems, subsequently provide a highly detailed nanometer-scale view of the battery electrode and materials. In addition, a variety of chemical/elemental information for the battery materials can be collected by our XPS tools.
With this multimodal information at multiple length scales, researchers can learn fundamental properties of the battery as they change throughout its lifetime, leading to major breakthroughs in battery design. These details could range from how different components fail as the battery is used to how lithium migrates between electrodes.
3D battery electrode microstructure, reconstructed using Avizo Software.
Multi-scale characterization of batteries.
Testimonial from Professor Ying Shirley Meng, PhD, University of California San Diego.
Documents
3D battery electrode microstructure, reconstructed using Avizo Software.
Multi-scale characterization of batteries.
Testimonial from Professor Ying Shirley Meng, PhD, University of California San Diego.
Documents
Quality Control
Quality control and assurance are essential in modern industry. We offer a range of EM and spectroscopy tools for multi-scale and multi-modal analysis of defects, allowing you to make reliable and informed decisions for process control and improvement.
Fundamental Materials Research
Novel materials are investigated at increasingly smaller scales for maximum control of their physical and chemical properties. Electron microscopy provides researchers with key insight into a wide variety of material characteristics at the micro- to nano-scale.
EDS Elemental Analysis
EDS provides vital compositional information to electron microscope observations. In particular, our unique Super-X and Dual-X Detector Systems add options for enhanced throughput and/or sensitivity, allowing you to optimize data acquisition to meet your research priorities.
Cross-sectioning
Cross sectioning provides extra insight by revealing sub-surface information. DualBeam instruments feature superior focused ion beam columns for high-quality cross sectioning. With automation, unattended high-throughput processing of samples is possible.
3D Materials Characterization
Development of materials often requires multi-scale 3D characterization. DualBeam instruments enable serial sectioning of large volumes and subsequent SEM imaging at nanometer scale, which can be processed into high-quality 3D reconstructions of the sample.
Multi-scale analysis
Novel materials must be analyzed at ever higher resolution while retaining the larger context of the sample. Multi-scale analysis allows for the correlation of various imaging tools and modalities such as X-ray microCT, DualBeam, Laser PFIB, SEM and TEM.
(S)TEM Sample Preparation
DualBeam microscopes enable the preparation of high-quality, ultra-thin samples for (S)TEM analysis. Thanks to advanced automation, users with any experience level can obtain expert-level results for a wide range of materials.
3D EDS Tomography
Modern materials research is increasingly reliant on nanoscale analysis in three dimensions. 3D characterization, including compositional data for full chemical and structural context, is possible with 3D EM and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy.
Particle analysis
Particle analysis plays a vital role in nanomaterials research and quality control. The nanometer-scale resolution and superior imaging of electron microscopy can be combined with specialized software for rapid characterization of powders and particles.
X-Ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy
X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) enables surface analysis, providing elemental composition as well as the chemical and electronic state of the top 10 nm of a material. With depth profiling, XPS analysis extends to compositional insight of layers.
ColorSEM
Using live EDS (energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy) with live quantification, ColorSEM Technology transforms SEM imaging into a color technique. Any user can now acquire elemental data continuously for more complete information than ever before.
EDS Elemental Analysis
EDS provides vital compositional information to electron microscope observations. In particular, our unique Super-X and Dual-X Detector Systems add options for enhanced throughput and/or sensitivity, allowing you to optimize data acquisition to meet your research priorities.
Cross-sectioning
Cross sectioning provides extra insight by revealing sub-surface information. DualBeam instruments feature superior focused ion beam columns for high-quality cross sectioning. With automation, unattended high-throughput processing of samples is possible.
3D Materials Characterization
Development of materials often requires multi-scale 3D characterization. DualBeam instruments enable serial sectioning of large volumes and subsequent SEM imaging at nanometer scale, which can be processed into high-quality 3D reconstructions of the sample.
Multi-scale analysis
Novel materials must be analyzed at ever higher resolution while retaining the larger context of the sample. Multi-scale analysis allows for the correlation of various imaging tools and modalities such as X-ray microCT, DualBeam, Laser PFIB, SEM and TEM.
(S)TEM Sample Preparation
DualBeam microscopes enable the preparation of high-quality, ultra-thin samples for (S)TEM analysis. Thanks to advanced automation, users with any experience level can obtain expert-level results for a wide range of materials.
3D EDS Tomography
Modern materials research is increasingly reliant on nanoscale analysis in three dimensions. 3D characterization, including compositional data for full chemical and structural context, is possible with 3D EM and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy.
Particle analysis
Particle analysis plays a vital role in nanomaterials research and quality control. The nanometer-scale resolution and superior imaging of electron microscopy can be combined with specialized software for rapid characterization of powders and particles.
X-Ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy
X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) enables surface analysis, providing elemental composition as well as the chemical and electronic state of the top 10 nm of a material. With depth profiling, XPS analysis extends to compositional insight of layers.
ColorSEM
Using live EDS (energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy) with live quantification, ColorSEM Technology transforms SEM imaging into a color technique. Any user can now acquire elemental data continuously for more complete information than ever before.
Electron microscopy services for
the materials science
To ensure optimal system performance, we provide you access to a world-class network of field service experts, technical support, and certified spare parts.
