Battery Stages for SmartLab and MiniFlex XRD
Choose the battery stage that fits your application need
When selecting a battery stage (aka holder or attachment) for the XRD tool, there are three key things to consider:
- Cell type
- XRD tool type
- X-ray geometry desired (Reflection vs. Transmission)
Different cell types:
- Self-assembly:
- The individual cell components (anode, cathode, electrolyte, etc.) are manually loaded into the self-assembly battery stage
- The battery stage provides structure, electrical contacts, and air-tight packaging for the cell components to create a fully functioning cell
- Laminate/Pouch Cell
- Coin cell
XRD tool choices:
- MiniFlex:
- Popular, affordable and easy to use benchtop XRD unit.
- Has some battery stage options and sufficient Cu X-ray source power for most needs.
- Very effective XRD tool for battery material (powder) analysis and complete battery cell analysis.
- Can be used for In Operando testing with manual potentiostat control.
- SmartLab / SmartLab SE:
- Very powerful and capable floor-standing XRD units.
- Many available battery stages and other related non-ambient stages for powder options, including Dynamic Scanning Calorimetry (DSC).
- High X-ray source power with standard 3kW and optional 9kW high brightness source
- Cu X-ray source is standard with options for Ag and Mo sources. The higher energy Mo X-rays are helpful to penetrate battery cell packaging.
Two choices for geometry:
- Reflection:
- The battery sample is essentially a mirror and reflects the X-rays into the detector. Only surface material characteristics are captured.
- The battery sample is essentially a mirror and reflects the X-rays into the detector. Only surface material characteristics are captured.
- Transmission:
- The x-rays pass through the battery cell into the detector, so material characteristics throughout the layers of the cell are captured.
- Sometimes requires a higher energy X-ray source like Ag or Mo, which are available options with the SmartLab.
Available XRD Battery Stages/Attachments
Solid-State Battery Cell Attachment
Liquid Electrolyte Cell Attachment
Laminate/Pouch Cell Attachment
Battery Type: All solid-state battery (SSB)
Primary Usage: In Operando XRD battery analysis
XRD Tool Support: SmartLab, SmartLab SE
Stage/Attachment Description: Holds the individual components (anode, cathode, solid electrolyte, etc.) of a solid-state battery (SSB) to form a working cell. No encapsulation or packaging materials required (self-assembly via the fixture). Applies adjustable static pressure to compress components together and enhance performance during cycling. Enables In Operando XRD analysis of a complete and functioning rechargeable solid-state cell.
XRD Measurement Type: Reflection
Features:
- Air-tight
- Temperature range: Ambient (room)
- Supports electrical interface to select 3rd party potentiostats for fully-automated In Operando testing
- Supports automatic stage recognition & auto-alignment
Specifications:
- Incident angle (θ): 5˚ or higher
- Measurement range (2θ): 10˚ to 120˚
- Sample size: φ10 mm or φ16 mm, sample thickness
2 mm or less - Maximum pressure loading: 1kN
Part Number: A00012150
Battery Type: Liquid electrolyte battery
Primary Usage: In Operando XRD battery analysis
XRD Tool Support: SmartLab, SmartLab SE
Stage/Attachment Description: Holds the individual components (anode, cathode, liquid electrolyte, etc.) to form a working rechargeable cell. No encapsulation or packaging materials required (self-assembly via the fixture). Enables In Operando XRD analysis of a complete and functioning rechargeable cell.
XRD Measurement Type: Reflection
Features:
- Air-tight
- Temperature range: Ambient (room)
- Supports electrical interface to select 3rd party potentiostats for fully-automated In Operando testing
- Supports automatic stage recognition & auto-alignment
Specifications:
- Incident angle (θ): 5˚ or higher
- Measurement range (2θ): 10˚ to 158˚
- Sample size: φ20 mm
Part Number: A00006816
Battery Type: Laminate/Pouch Cell
Primary Usage: In Operando battery analysis
XRD Tool Support: SmartLab, SmartLab SE
Stage/Attachment Description: Holds a laminate/pouch type rechargeable cell for In Operando XRD analysis.
XRD Measurement Type: Transmission
Features:
- Temperature range: Ambient (room)
- Supports electrical interface to select 3rd party potentiostats for fully-automated In Operando testing
- Supports automatic stage recognition & auto-alignment
Specifications:
- 2θ <= 60˚ (θ = 0˚ fixed)
- X axis: ±25 mm (on manual)
- Y axis: ±6 mm (on software)
- X-ray window size: 70mm × 70mm or 35mm × 50mm
Part Number: A00009355
Laminate/Pouch Cell - XY Attachment
Coin Cell Attachment - Reflection
Coin Cell Attachment - Transmission
Battery Type: Laminate/Pouch Cell
Primary Usage: In Operando battery analysis with mapping
XRD Tool Support: SmartLab (only)
Stage/Attachment Description: Holds a laminate/pouch type rechargeable cell for In Operando XRD analysis combined with XY mapping to automatically test sample points (matrix) across the cell and allow consistent comparison to other similar cells.
XRD Measurement Type: Transmission
Features:
- Temperature range: Ambient (room)
- Supports electrical interface to select 3rd party potentiostats for fully-automated In Operando testing
- Supports automatic stage recognition & auto-alignment
Specifications:
- 2θ <= 60˚ (θ = 0˚ fixed, center of X-ray window)
- X axis: ±40mm (Controllable via software)
- Y axis: ±25mm (Controllable via software)
- X-ray window size : 54mm × 84mm
Part Number: A00012150
Battery Type: Coin Cell
Primary Usage: In Operando battery analysis
XRD Tool Support: SmartLab, SmartLab SE
Stage/Attachment Description: Holds a coin cell horizontally for Relection geometry X-ray beam for In Operando XRD analysis.
XRD Measurement Type: Reflection
Features:
- Temperature range: Ambient (room)
- Supports electrical interface to select 3rd party potentiostats for fully-automated In Operando testing
- Supports automatic stage recognition & auto-alignment
Specifications:
- 2θ <= 160˚
- Battery type: CR2032
Part Number: TBD
Battery Type: Coin Cell
Primary Usage: In Operando battery analysis
XRD Tool Support: SmartLab, SmartLab SE
Stage/Attachment Description: Holds a coin cell vertically for Transmission geometry X-ray beam for In Operando XRD analysis.
XRD Measurement Type: Transmission
Features:
- Temperature range: Ambient (room)
- Supports electrical interface to select 3rd party potentiostats for fully-automated In Operando testing
- Supports automatic stage recognition & auto-alignment
Specifications:
- 2θ <= 60˚ (θ = 0˚ fixed)
- Battery type: CR2032
Part Number: TBD
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