Lithium-ion batteries, which are used to power EVs and many portable electronics, can overheat if they are improperly manufactured or damaged. This can cause the battery to catch fire—or even explode. To prevent these risks, various standards and inspection processes for lithium battery safety are in place around the world.
One useful inspection tool used for lithium-battery safety is the industrial microscope. This post discusses how different types of industrial microscopes support the inspection of lithium-ion batteries for EVs.
How Does a Lithium-Ion Battery Work?
Put simply, a lithium-ion battery is a rechargeable battery that generates electricity through the movement of lithium ions. The four main components in a lithium-ion battery are a cathode, anode, electrolyte, and separator.
When a lithium battery discharges, lithium ions move from the anode to the cathode. This discharging process provides the electrical energy needed to operate various devices. When plugging in the device, the charge reverses this movement—the lithium ions move from the cathode to the anode.
The entire power battery system depends on battery safety to perform well. A battery cell that short circuits can cause a fire, explosion, or other accidents. Contamination or damage introduced during the manufacturing process can also affect battery safety and performance. For this reason, it is critical to have rigorous inspection processes throughout battery production.
Inspection Processes to Support Lithium-Ion Battery Safety and Performance Inspectors must check various components during the manufacturing of lithium-ion batteries to confirm the parts are clean and free of defects.
Read the full blog article at Evident.