Gas evolution as a result of electrolyte decomposition during the formation operation and storage of rechargeable lithium ions batteries is a common problem for high performance lithium-ion batteries as cell makers and material suppliers strive to find solutions enabling cells to function at increased voltages in the quest for greater energy.  Outgassing during cell formation requires cell manufactures to degass cells thus leading to increased manufacturing costs.  Gas evolution during the cycling and high temperature storage of cells can lead to potential safety hazards while also contributing to capacity fade and cell deformation especially in pouch cells. Unfortunately, the detection of origin of gas evolution is challenging due to the lack of capability of in-situ gas measurement. Conventional methods such as the Archimedes water-displacement test, allows one gas measurement after cell testing which makes it impossible to track when gas was generated and consumed, while other in-situ techniques are extremely complicated and only allow a few experiments to be run at a time. Wildcat has developed a novel high throughput gas cell architecture which allows for the monitoring of gas in-situ.  

Using high throughput gas cells, a gas measurement is taken every 0.1 seconds throughout any given electrochemical test which allows for the evaluation of gas evolution for hundreds of cells run in parallel.  This allows for Wildcat’s scientists to rapidly evaluate thousands of electrolytes in full cells, while simultaneously evaluate their cycling or storage performance, thus allowing for the dramatic acceleration of electrolyte development.  In addition to the development aspect Wildcat has found this technique often shines the light on the understanding of electrolyte decomposition mechanisms.  By presenting various case studies this presentation hopes to illustrate the power of Wildcat’s high throughput in situ gas cells.