Abstract: An eddy current non-destructive evaluation system for an electrode film material includes: at least one control module configured to generate a transmission signal; and a first pair of coils. The first pair of coils includes: a first coil disposed adjacent the electrode film material and configured to operate in a transmit mode, and, based on the transmission signal, to generate an electromagnetic field that passes through the electrode film material; and a second coil disposed adjacent and on an opposite side of the electrode film material as the first coil and configured to operate in a receive mode. The second coil is configured to generate a electromagnetic field voltage based on the electromagnetic field. The at least one control module is configured, based on the electromagnetic field voltage, to at least one of determine a thickness of the electrode film material and detect a defect of the electrode film material.

Abstract: A viscosity reduction system includes: a dispenser including: an inlet configured to receive a fluid; an outlet configured to dispense the fluid onto a surface; and a flow channel that fluidly connects the inlet with the outlet; and a vibrating device that directly contacts the dispenser at one or more locations and that is configured to vibrate the dispenser and the fluid when power is applied to the vibrating device.

Abstract: A method for detecting defects in battery cells includes receiving an X-Ray radiographic image of a battery cell and segmenting the X-Ray radiographic image into regions of interest using a classifier. The method includes processing the segmented X-Ray radiographic image using the classifier to identify features of the battery cell, detecting whether one or more of the features in the processed X-Ray radiographic image is defective using the classifier, and determining using the classifier whether the battery cell is defective based on whether one or more of the features in the processed X-Ray radiographic image is defective.

Abstract: A system for transporting a non-Newtonian material. The system includes a storage container configured to store the non-Newtonian material and a dispensing system configured to dispense the non-Newtonian material. A conduit connects the storage container to the dispensing system. The conduit is configured to transport the non-Newtonian material from the storage container to the dispensing system. A pump is configured to pump the non-Newtonian material out of the storage container and through the conduit to the dispensing system. A hanger is configured to support the conduit from a support structure. An acoustic wave generator is along the conduit configured to impart acoustical shear agitation to the non-Newtonian material to reduce viscosity of the non-Newtonian material.

Abstract: An eddy current non-destructive evaluation system for an electrode film material includes: at least one control module configured to generate a transmission signal; and a first pair of coils. The first pair of coils includes: a first coil disposed adjacent the electrode film material and configured to operate in a transmit mode, and, based on the transmission signal, to generate an electromagnetic field that passes through the electrode film material; and a second coil disposed adjacent and on an opposite side of the electrode film material as the first coil and configured to operate in a receive mode. The second coil is configured to generate a electromagnetic field voltage based on the electromagnetic field. The at least one control module is configured, based on the electromagnetic field voltage, to at least one of determine a thickness of the electrode film material and detect a defect of the electrode film material.

Abstract: A calibration system for multiple image sensors includes a manufacturing apparatus, a first imaging sensor, a second imaging sensor positioned at a different location than the first imaging sensor and configured to capture at least one different wavelength than the first imaging sensor, a calibration artifact, and an imaging calibration module. The imaging calibration module is configured to obtain first and second images of the calibration artifact via the first and second imaging sensors, determine first and second pixel mappings between the first and second images and a common coordinate system, according to a location of the calibration artifact in the first and second images, convert an image of a manufacturing object captured by the first imaging sensor to the common coordinate system, and convert an image of the manufacturing object captured by the second imaging sensor to the common coordinate system.

Abstract: A system for measuring effects of vibration on rheometric properties of a fluid sample. The system includes a receptacle configured to hold the fluid sample and receive a probe extending from a rheometric measuring device. A vibration generator is configured to vibrate the fluid sample within the receptacle while the rheometric measuring device measures the rheometric properties of the fluid sample. A vibration control module is configured to control frequency at which the vibration generator vibrates.

Abstract: A system for evaluating a battery cell includes an imaging device configured to take an image of at least part of the battery cell, and a processor. The processor is configured to perform: determining a region of interest in the acquired image, reducing a sharpness of the acquired image to generate a reference image, comparing the acquired image and the reference image, and identifying a discontinuity of the battery cell based on a difference between the acquired image and the reference image.

Abstract: A battery cell gas analysis system including a degas chamber, a vacuum pump in fluid communication with the degas chamber to remove air from the degas chamber, a venting port configured to selectively vent the degas chamber, a battery cell enclosed in the degas chamber, and a gas detector in fluid communication with the degas chamber. The gas detector is configured to detect, with gas species separation, at least one parameter of a gas released from the battery cell into the degas chamber, and the at least one parameter of the gas of the battery cell is indicative of a manufacturing quality of the battery cell. The system includes at least one valve coupled between the degas chamber and the gas detector to selectively control a flow of the gas of the battery cell to the gas detector.

Abstract: A method for validating non-destructive, electromagnetic methods in atmospheric conditions of a battery cell intended to include a lithium metal layer includes selecting a lithium mimic metal layer to replace the lithium metal layer; and creating a mock-up sample including one or more layers of the battery cell. One or more layers comprise the lithium mimic metal layer. The method includes performing electromagnetic testing of the mock-up sample.

Abstract: A system for transporting a non-Newtonian material. The system includes a storage container configured to store the non-Newtonian material and a dispensing system configured to dispense the non-Newtonian material. A conduit connects the storage container to the dispensing system. The conduit is configured to transport the non-Newtonian material from the storage container to the dispensing system. A pump is configured to pump the non-Newtonian material out of the storage container and through the conduit to the dispensing system. A hanger is configured to support the conduit from a support structure. An acoustic wave generator is along the conduit configured to impart acoustical shear agitation to the non-Newtonian material to reduce viscosity of the non-Newtonian material.

Abstract: A quality control system analyzes the quality of a battery cell, with the battery cell defining a gas pouch configured to expand from a deflated configuration to an inflated configuration when filled with a gas formed during a cell formation process. The system comprises a computational system comprising a processor and a memory and a measurement instrument in electronic communication with the computational system. The measurement instrument is arranged to measure a distance defined by the gas pouch and transmit a signal to the computational system corresponding to the distance. The computational system is arranged to analyze the distance with the processor and determine a volumetric measurement of the gas within the gas pouch and compare the volumetric measurement to a threshold in the memory to assess a quality score for the battery cell. A corresponding method analyzes the quality of the battery cell with the quality control system.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure include degas equipment and degassing process schemes for providing high throughput extraction of battery cell formation gas. An exemplary method can include loading a battery cell in a sampling chamber of a degas station and creating an opening in the battery cell to release formation gas. A first portion of the formation gas can be routed to a collection chamber of the degas station while the formation gas is prevented from venting. After routing the first portion of the formation gas to the collection chamber, a second portion of the formation gas can be vented until degassing is complete. The first portion of the formation gas can be diluted with a dilution fluid and the diluted first portion of the formation gas can be routed to a cell quality control gas manifold configured to measure battery cell formation gas compositions.

Abstract: A system for evaluating a battery cell includes an imaging device configured to take a first image of at least part of the battery cell when the battery cell is in a first deformation state, and take a second image of the at least part of the battery cell when the battery cell is in a second deformation state. The system also includes a processor configured to analyze the first image and the second image, identify a first region of the first image that represents a suspected discontinuity, the first region corresponding to a portion of the battery cell, compare the first region of the first image to a second region of the second image, the second region corresponding to the portion of the battery cell, and determine that the suspected discontinuity is an actual discontinuity based on a difference between the first region and the second region.

Abstract: A method for validating non-destructive, electromagnetic methods in atmospheric conditions of a battery cell intended to include a lithium metal layer includes selecting a lithium mimic metal layer to replace the lithium metal layer; and creating a mock-up sample including one or more layers of the battery cell. One or more layers comprise the lithium mimic metal layer. The method includes performing electromagnetic testing of the mock-up sample.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides electrode assemblies for safe nondestructive testing in ambient conditions. In certain variations, the electrode assembly includes a current collector and a non-reactive lithium mimic material disposed on or near one or more surfaces of the current collector or embedded in the current collector. In other variations, the electrode assembly includes include a current collector, a lithium metal material disposed on or near one or more surfaces of the current collector or embedded in the current collector to form an electrode assembly, and a non-conductive pouch holding the electrode assembly.

Abstract: A system for measuring effects of vibration on rheometric properties of a fluid sample. The system includes a receptacle configured to hold the fluid sample and receive a probe extending from a rheometric measuring device. A vibration generator is configured to vibrate the fluid sample within the receptacle while the rheometric measuring device measures the rheometric properties of the fluid sample. A vibration control module is configured to control frequency at which the vibration generator vibrates.

Abstract: A quality control system analyzes the quality of a battery cell, with the battery cell defining a gas pouch configured to be filled with a gas. The quality control system includes a computational system including a processor and a memory, a manifold defining a passageway extending between an inlet port for receiving the gas and an outlet port, and at least one sensor in electronic communication with the computational system. The sensor is arranged to measure a physical property of the gas and transmit a signal to the computational system corresponding to the physical property of the gas. The computational system analyzes the physical property of the gas, accesses a threshold value corresponding to the physical property, compares the physical property to the threshold value, and assess a quality score for the battery cell. A corresponding method analyzes the quality of the battery cell with the quality control system.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides electrode assemblies for safe nondestructive testing in ambient conditions. In certain variations, the electrode assembly includes a current collector and a non-reactive lithium mimic material disposed on or near one or more surfaces of the current collector or embedded in the current collector. In other variations, the electrode assembly includes include a current collector, a lithium metal material disposed on or near one or more surfaces of the current collector or embedded in the current collector to form an electrode assembly, and a non-conductive pouch holding the electrode assembly.

Abstract: A method for validating non-destructive, electromagnetic methods in atmospheric conditions of a battery cell intended to include a lithium metal layer includes selecting a lithium mimic metal layer to replace the lithium metal layer; and creating a mock-up sample including one or more layers of the battery cell. One or more layers comprise the lithium mimic metal layer. The method includes performing electromagnetic testing of the mock-up sample.