Taking battery research to the next level with tomography: Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin acquires an UltraTom.

12 Dec 2024
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How the RX systems at Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin are setting new standards in battery research.

UltraTom pour la tomographie in-situ

UltraTomthe project at a glance

Project
Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin × RX Solutions
Customer
Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie (HZB), Germany
Team
Dr. Ingo Manke’s group, Institute for Electrochemical Energy Storage
Field
Battery and energy storage research
Equipment
EasyTom 150/160 (high resolution, ex situ) and UltraTom 230 kV (in situ, operando)
FundingBMBF, FORBATT program, TomoFestBattLab project (FKZ 03XP0462)
DistributorPHI GmbH, RX Solutions’ distributor in Germany
Dr Nikolay Kardjilov, Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin
« This technology doesn’t just speed up our progress, it opens up entirely new dimensions for research.»

A technology that is transforming research

Computed tomography systems are an innovation for scientific research, because they let researchers study the internal structure of materials with unmatched precision. Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin quickly mastered the technology and has invested in long-term research with not one RX Solutions CT system but two, each for a very different purpose.
 

 EasyTom 150/160 kV : designed for high-resolution measurements, this system lets researchers study the finest details of materials under carefully controlled conditions, details that are often crucial to understanding battery performance.
 
 UltraTom 230 kV : a true all-rounder. Its extra-large granite table and its installation in a shielded bunker make it the ideal tool for in situ experiments. The operando control function lets you analyze, in real time, how materials evolve under operating conditions. By testing batteries under heat, pressure or mechanical stress, researchers gain concrete insights of major importance. AI-powered algorithms further improve dynamic data analysis, and an advanced sample changer greatly increases testing efficiency.
Chercheurs du Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin travaillant sur un tomographe RX Solutions

A world-class reference project

   
 « Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin plays a key role in international battery research. Our tomography instruments are a meeting point for projects that attract interest not only here, but also from industry and international partners around the world,” says Dr. Manke. “The measurements possible with the RX systems are unique. This technological advance makes Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin a pioneer and a driver of innovation in industry.»
 
The project is not only a success for Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin but also a signal for the future of research. The combination of innovative technology, data-driven analysis and international collaboration shows how breakthrough advances can be achieved in energy storage. With RX Solutions CT systems, Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin has not only raised the bar but also opened a new path in materials science. And this is only the beginning.

A project funded by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) under the FORBATT program. 

This project was funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) as part of the FORBATT project “Machine Learning supported automated laboratory for multi-dimensional Operando Tomography of solid-state batteries under real operating conditions – TomoFestBattLab” (FKZ 03XP0462). 

Find out more on the official website of Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin.


 

A seamless collaboration with PHI GmbH

One of the key factors in successfully implementing these advanced technologies was the seamless collaboration between RX Solutions, the French manufacturer of CT systems, and PHI GmbH, our trusted local distributor in Germany. This partnership built a close relationship with the customer, with local support and expertise tailored to their specific needs.

“The collaboration was smooth and built on mutual trust, which is increasingly rare these days,” says Dr. Nikolay Kardjilov. “Delivery, installation and commissioning of the systems were perfectly organized, which let us keep to the project schedule without any problems.”

For a project of this importance, reliability was crucial. “Everything had to work perfectly, and thanks to PHI GmbH, it did,” adds Dr. Kardjilov, stressing how invaluable it was to have a reliable partner on the ground for such a prestigious initiative.
UltraTom CT system for in situ tomography at Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin
UltraTom for in-situ CT
RX Solutions CT system at Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin working
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