Photoacoustic Imaging of Lithium Metal Batteries

TL;DR

This paper explores the use of photoacoustic microscopy as a novel, high-resolution, 3D imaging technique capable of in situ real-time monitoring of lithium metal dendrite growth in batteries, addressing safety concerns.

Contribution

It introduces PAM as a new imaging tool for lithium metal batteries, demonstrating its advantages over existing methods in resolution, depth, and real-time capabilities.

Findings

PAM provides high-resolution imaging of dendrites.

PAM can penetrate deep into battery separators.

PAM enables potential in situ real-time monitoring.

Abstract

We demonstrate that photoacoustic microscopy (PAM) can be a potential novel imaging tool to investigate the Li metal dendrite growth, a critical issue leading to short circuit and even explosion of Li metal batteries. Our results suggest several advantages of PAM imaging of Li metal batteries: high resolution (micrometers), 3D imaging capability, deep penetration in a separator, and high contrast from bulk Li metal. Further, PAM has potential for in situ real-time imaging of Li metal batteries.