Multiscale and multiphysics battery imaging and modeling
To fully address safety and cycle life issues in solid-state batteries, one must rethink electrochemical processes from the perspective of multiphysics coupling. The lack of tools and theoretical models to directly visualize the evolution of and precisely describe the correlations between different physicochemical fields fundamentally limits the development of solid-state batteries. Our group is dedicated to advancing and integrating these imaging and modeling techniques.
Our primary focus in imaging is the development and application of novel operando and three-dimensional characterization tools. We use operando photoacoustic microscopy (PAM), achieving high temporal (sub-millisecond) and spatial resolution to reveal hidden, complex patterns in the lithium plating process that were previously inaccessible. Complementing this, we have developed a 3D stress mapping technique based on confocal Raman spectroscopy to trace the evolution of microscopic stress, identifying local stress variations as a likely origin of deposition heterogeneity. Furthermore, we have developed high spatio-temporal resolution operando X-ray computed tomography (XCT) techniques to track the dynamic morphological evolution inside solid-state batteries.
In parallel with our imaging efforts, we develop computational models to bridge the gap between microscopic phenomena and macroscopic performance. We have formulated a “Real 2D” (R2D) full-battery model, an electrode-adaptive mathematical framework that efficiently quantifies the impact of physicochemical heterogeneity and multiphysics coupling on cycling performance. This modeling approach significantly advances simulation efficiency and is broadly applicable to heterogeneous battery systems. By combining these predictive models, such as phase-field simulations and first-principles calculations, with our unique multiphysics imaging data, we can clarify the electrochemical deposition process and the microscopic mechanisms of failure and capacity loss.
Publication:
- Zhou, J., X. Tang, X. Yu, S. L. Chen and S. H. Bo (2025). “Three-Dimensional Operando Photoacoustic Microscopy Reveals Hidden Patterns in the Complex Electrochemical Plating Process of Lithium Metal.” Journal of the American Chemical Society, 147(45): 41492-41500.
- Sun, Z. T., S. Chen, T. Zhao, Y. Guo, Z. Xu, S. Zhou and S. H. Bo (2025). “Real 2D galvanostatic model: Encoding physicochemical heterogeneity into a full battery” Physical Review Letters, 135(6): 068001.
- Han, X., Y. Xu, H. Li, Z. Wang, J. Yue, X. Yan, S. Zhang, J. Fu, Y. Xia, L. Zhou, S. Wei, X. Liu, X. Wang, C. Zhao, X. Li, S. H. Bo, J. Wang, X. Sun and J. Liang (2025). “Mechanically robust halide electrolytes for high-performance all-solid-state batteries.” Nature Communications, 16(1):9770.
- Zhou, J., Y. Zhao, H. Liu, X. Tang, S.-L. Chen and S. H. Bo (2022). “Rapid 3D nondestructive imaging technology for batteries: Photoacoustic microscopy.” Journal of Materials Research: 1-14.
- Hu, J., Z. T. Sun, Y. Gao and S. H. Bo (2022). “3D stress mapping reveals the origin of lithium-deposition heterogeneity in solid-state lithium-metal batteries.” Cell Reports Physical Science 3: 100938.
- Sun, Z. T. and S. H. Bo (2022). “Understanding electro-mechanical-thermal coupling in solid-state lithium metal batteries via phase-field modeling.” Journal of Materials Research: 1-16.