| dc.description.abstract | This thesis presents the development and application of a custom-built electro
modulation optical microscope for operando monitoring of lithium battery material
charging and discharging processes, contributing to the goals of the FAIR-Battery
project. In line with the FAIR principles—Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and
Reproducible—the aim was to design an affordable, scalable, and non-invasive
method for real-time analysis of battery interfaces.
To validate the sensitivity and functionality of the microscope, initial experiments
were conducted on indium tin oxide (ITO) nano-cracks. These model systems
provided a controlled platform to investigate electro-optical signal responses linked
to current-induced surface phenomena. Building upon this calibration phase, the
setup was extended to lithium–lithium (Li–Li) symmetric cells using a commercial EL
CELL, allowing direct visualization of lithium plating and stripping dynamics under
controlled electrochemical cycling.
The experimental methodology combined optical monitoring with traditional
electrochemical techniques, including Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy
(EIS), multi-step amperometry, and potentiometry, alongside Fourier-based image
analysis. This integrated approach enabled deeper insights into ion transport,
interfacial morphology evolution, and early-stage degradation mechanisms.
By bridging optical imaging and electrochemical diagnostics, this work introduces a
novel, non-destructive strategy for battery health monitoring. The developed methodology advances open hardware initiatives for battery research and lays the
groundwork for broader adoption of real-time optical monitoring in energy storage
technologies. | |
