GloveBox

(O2 and H2O below 0.1 ppm)

Glovebox is essential for assembling lithium-ion battery (LIB) coin cells, as they provide an inert atmosphere (typically using argon or nitrogen) with strictly controlled oxygen and moisture levels below 0.1 ppm, preventing degradation of moisture-sensitive components like electrolytes and lithium electrodes. Within this sealed environment, key steps such as electrode placement, separator alignment, electrolyte injection, and crimping are performed, often using specialized automated or manual tools to ensure precision and avoid short-circuiting. This process is critical for maintaining electrode-electrolyte integrity, ensuring reliable electrochemical performance, and achieving reproducible experimental results in battery research and development.

DC-PECVD

DC-PECVD (Direct Current Plasma-Enhanced Chemical Vapor Deposition) is applied in lithium-ion battery (LIB) research primarily to deposit uniform, conductive carbon nanolayers on electrode materials. For instance, it creates yolk-shell structures like SnO₂@Void@C nanowires, where the carbon coating mitigates volume expansion during lithiation, enhances electrical conductivity, and stabilizes the solid-electrolyte interphase (SEI), leading to improved cycling stability and capacity retention . It also synthesizes core-shell silicon/MWCNT anodes, providing a scaffold that accommodates silicon's large volume changes, resulting in high specific capacity and longevity . The technique offers scalable, low-temperature, and precise control over coating thickness, making it valuable for developing advanced LIB electrodes.

Sputtering

Sputtering is widely applied in lithium-ion battery (LIB) research for fabricating thin films of electrode and protective materials with precise control over thickness, composition, and uniformity. In this technique, energetic ions bombard a target material, ejecting atoms that deposit onto a substrate to form a thin layer. For LIBs, sputtering enables the preparation of well-defined cathode and anode coatings, solid electrolyte interlayers, and surface modifications that improve conductivity, stability, and adhesion. It is particularly valuable for studying electrochemical mechanisms at nanoscale interfaces, tailoring surface chemistry, and enhancing cycle life. Thus, sputtering is a powerful tool in developing advanced LIB architectures. ESL Sputtering system has three electrodes for deposition (Si, Au, Ag).

Co-precipitation Reactor

A co-precipitation reactor is a key tool in lithium-ion battery (LIB) research, especially for preparing layered cathode materials like nickel–manganese–cobalt (NMC). In this method, aqueous solutions of Ni, Mn, and Co salts are simultaneously precipitated under controlled pH, temperature, and stirring conditions, typically using ammonia or sodium hydroxide as a precipitant. The reactor allows uniform mixing and nucleation, leading to homogeneous, spherical precursor particles with controlled size distribution. After filtration, drying, and high-temperature lithiation, these precursors form NMC cathodes with optimized morphology and electrochemical performance. This scalable, cost-effective technique ensures improved capacity, stability, and reproducibility in advanced LIB applications. 

1500 °C Furnace

A 1500 °C furnace in lithium-ion battery (LIB) research is mainly used for high-temperature treatments such as sintering, calcination, and crystallization of electrode materials with complex structures. At this temperature, researchers can synthesize highly crystalline cathode oxides, improve phase purity, and remove residual organic binders or precursors. It is also valuable for developing novel solid electrolytes and ceramic components that require extreme thermal stability. For example, advanced layered oxides or doped structures can be treated at 1500 °C to enhance ionic conductivity and structural integrity, enabling electrodes with superior performance, high stability, and improved cycle life in demanding LIB applications.

1200 °C Furnace

A 1200 °C furnace is more commonly employed in LIB research for the calcination of precursors such as nickel–manganese–cobalt (NMC), lithium iron phosphate (LFP), or manganese oxides. This temperature range allows proper phase formation, particle growth control, and removal of volatile components while preserving desirable morphology. Using a 1200 °C furnace ensures well-ordered crystal structures that improve electrochemical activity and long-term stability. It is especially suited for large-scale synthesis, as it balances energy consumption with reliable material performance. Overall, 1200 °C furnaces provide the optimal processing window for most commercial LIB electrode materials.

Vacuum Oven

A vacuum oven is widely used in lithium-ion battery (LIB) research for drying electrode materials, electrolytes, and assembled cells under reduced pressure. The vacuum environment removes moisture, solvents, and impurities more efficiently than ambient drying, which is critical since even trace water can react with lithium salts (e.g., LiPF₆) to form HF, leading to performance degradation. By ensuring electrodes and separators are free of contaminants, the oven improves cycle life, electrochemical stability, and reproducibility of LIB experiments. It is also used during material synthesis steps, providing controlled drying conditions without oxidation or unwanted side reactions.

Oven 200 °C

A 200 °C oven in LIB research is typically applied for thermal drying and post-treatment of electrode coatings, binders, and separator films. Operating at this moderate high temperature allows for complete removal of solvents such as NMP (N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone) from PVDF-based slurries or residual organic compounds from precursors. It also improves adhesion of active materials to current collectors and stabilizes electrode morphology. For safety, cells or components are often dried at 200 °C under vacuum or inert atmosphere to avoid degradation. This step ensures high-purity, well-prepared electrodes that support consistent battery performance and reliability.

Vaccum Oven 250 °C

A vacuum oven is widely used in lithium-ion battery (LIB) research for drying electrode materials, electrolytes, and assembled cells under reduced pressure. The vacuum environment removes moisture, solvents, and impurities more efficiently than ambient drying, which is critical since even trace water can react with lithium salts (e.g., LiPF₆) to form HF, leading to performance degradation. By ensuring electrodes and separators are free of contaminants, the oven improves cycle life, electrochemical stability, and reproducibility of LIB experiments. It is also used during material synthesis steps, providing controlled drying conditions without oxidation or unwanted side reactions.

Rolling Press

A rolling press is essential in lithium-ion battery (LIB) research for compacting electrode films onto current collectors and achieving the desired thickness, density, and uniformity. After slurry casting and drying, the electrode layer often contains voids or uneven surfaces that can hinder electrochemical performance. By passing the electrode sheet through a pair of rollers under controlled pressure, the rolling press reduces porosity, enhances particle contact, and improves adhesion between the active layer and the metal substrate (e.g., aluminum or copper foil). This densification process ensures better electrical conductivity, mechanical stability, and consistent electrochemical behavior, ultimately enhancing LIB energy density and cycle life.

Doctor Blade

A doctor blade is widely used in lithium-ion battery (LIB) research for fabricating uniform electrode films by coating slurry mixtures of active material, binder, and conductive additives onto current collectors such as aluminum or copper foil. The adjustable blade controls the film thickness precisely, allowing researchers to optimize loading levels, surface smoothness, and reproducibility. This method is simple, cost-effective, and scalable, making it ideal for both laboratory experiments and pilot production. Uniform coatings achieved by the doctor blade improve electrode homogeneity, mechanical stability, and electrochemical performance, ensuring reliable testing of material properties and facilitating the transition to larger-scale LIB manufacturing.

Planetary Ball-mill

A planetary ball mill is commonly applied in lithium-ion battery (LIB) research for preparing fine powders, mixing electrode materials, and synthesizing novel nanostructures. In this device, grinding jars rotate on their own axes while simultaneously revolving around a central axis, generating high-energy impacts between balls and material particles. This process reduces particle size, promotes uniform mixing of active materials, binders, and conductive additives, and enables solid-state reactions for synthesizing cathode and anode compounds. Planetary ball milling is also used to create nanoscale features that enhance electrochemical properties, such as higher surface area and better ion transport, leading to improved LIB performance.

5 Digit - Analytical Balance

A 5-digit analytical balance (precision to 0.00001 g) is highly valuable in lithium-ion battery (LIB) research, where extreme accuracy is required for weighing small amounts of active materials, conductive additives, and electrolytes. Such precision ensures reproducibility in electrode formulations, especially in coin cell assembly, where even microgram deviations can affect capacity and cycling performance. Researchers also use it to measure subtle weight changes during electrochemical testing, such as monitoring electrode degradation or electrolyte consumption. By providing ultra-precise mass control, a 5-digit balance supports high-quality material synthesis, reliable electrode preparation, and accurate electrochemical evaluation in advanced LIB research.

4 Digit - Analytical Balance

A 4-digit analytical balance (precision to 0.0001 g) is commonly used in LIB research for preparing electrode slurries, weighing lithium salts (like LiPF₆), or determining binder and additive content in cathode/anode formulations. It balances high precision with practicality, making it suitable for routine sample preparation in research labs. With this balance, researchers can achieve consistent material ratios, ensuring stable electrode performance and reproducible results. While less sensitive than a 5-digit balance, it still provides sufficient accuracy for most laboratory-scale LIB experiments, where small variations in material mass do not critically impact electrochemical outcomes.

3 Digit - Portable Balance

A 3-digit Portable balance (precision to 0.001 g) is mainly applied for larger-scale LIB material preparation, such as weighing bulk precursor powders, conductive carbons, or binders where ultra-high accuracy is less critical. It is often used in the early stages of electrode slurry mixing or for preparing larger batches of cathode and anode powders. Although it lacks the microgram sensitivity of higher-resolution balances, it remains adequate for processes where approximate ratios suffice, especially in preliminary experiments or industrial-scale synthesis. In LIB research, the 3-digit balance is a reliable tool for handling routine measurements without compromising efficiency.

Material Storage Cabinet

A material storage cabinet is an essential facility in lithium-ion battery (LIB) research for the safe and organized storage of raw materials, chemicals, and electrode components. Since many battery precursors, binders, solvents, and electrolytes are sensitive to moisture, light, or contamination, storage cabinets provide controlled environments to preserve material quality. Fire-resistant or ventilated cabinets are often used for flammable solvents like NMP, while desiccated or inert-gas cabinets protect hygroscopic lithium salts (e.g., LiPF₆) from degradation. Proper storage ensures consistent material properties, minimizes safety hazards, and supports reproducibility in experiments. Thus, storage cabinets safeguard both researchers and materials in LIB laboratories.

Manual Punching Machine

A manual punching machine is commonly used in lithium-ion battery (LIB) research to cut electrode sheets, separators, and current collectors into precise shapes and sizes (14 and 16 mm) for cell assembly. After electrode coating and drying, uniform circular or rectangular samples are required for coin cells. The punching machine ensures accuracy, repeatability, and clean edges, which are critical for good electrode stacking and minimizing short circuits. By providing consistent electrode dimensions, it improves reproducibility in electrochemical testing and facilitates reliable comparison between different material formulations. Overall, manual punching machines are essential for preparing high-quality LIB test cells efficiently.

Lab Sink & Eye wash sink

In lithium-ion battery (LIB) research, a lab sink and eye wash sink are essential safety facilities that protect researchers during chemical handling. Working with LIB materials often involves hazardous substances such as lithium salts, strong acids, and organic solvents, which can cause burns, irritation, or eye damage upon accidental contact. The lab sink allows safe disposal of liquid waste and immediate washing of contaminated hands or surfaces, while the eye wash sink provides an emergency rinse to quickly flush chemicals from the eyes, minimizing injury. These safety stations ensure compliance with laboratory safety protocols and reduce the risk of chemical accidents during experiments.

FESEM

(Located in Nanoelectronics and Thin Film Lab-UT)

The FE-SEM S-4160 is a Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope (FE-SEM) manufactured by Hitachi High-Tech. It uses a cold field emission electron source for high-resolution imaging of material surfaces at magnifications from 20x to 300,000x, with a specified resolution of 2.5 nm at 30 kV. The instrument is equipped with a computerized analysis software, a 5-axis motorized stage for wafer handling (up to 8-inch), and advanced features like 3D imaging and auto capture, making it suitable for semiconductor manufacturing and various research applications.

TEM

(Located in Nanoelectronics and Thin Film Lab-UT)

The Philips CM300 TEM microscope is a high-performance electron microscope designed for advanced materials analysis and research. It features a stable and reliable electron column, delivering exceptional image quality and resolution. The CM300 is capable of operating in both transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) modes, providing versatile imaging and analytical capabilities.

Battery Tester

In lithium-ion battery (LIB) research, a battery tester is a crucial instrument used to evaluate the performance and reliability of batteries under controlled conditions. It measures key parameters such as capacity, voltage, current, internal resistance, charge/discharge cycles, and energy efficiency. Researchers use it to perform cycling tests, rate capability tests, and long-term stability assessments, helping to identify the electrochemical behavior and degradation mechanisms of electrode materials. By providing precise and repeatable data, the battery tester allows optimization of cell design, electrode composition, and electrolyte formulations, ensuring that newly developed LIBs meet performance, safety, and longevity standards before practical application.

Constant Temperature Chamber

In lithium-ion battery (LIB) research, a Constant Temperature Chamber is a critical tool for assessing battery performance under varying environmental conditions. These chambers, such as the WGDW series from Neware, simulate extreme temperatures ranging from -70°C to +150°C, enabling researchers to evaluate how batteries behave under both high and low-temperature stress NEWARE Technology LLC. By replicating real-world environmental scenarios, these chambers help in identifying potential issues like capacity degradation, thermal runaway, or performance inconsistencies. Integrating temperature testing with battery cycling systems allows for comprehensive analysis, ensuring that LIBs meet safety and reliability standards across diverse operating conditions. This capability is essential for advancing battery technology and ensuring the longevity and safety of LIBs in practical applications.

NOVA software and Autolab

In lithium-ion battery (LIB) research, NOVA software paired with an Autolab electrochemical workstation is used to perform advanced electrochemical characterization of battery materials and cells. The Autolab device allows precise control of potential, current, and voltage for experiments such as cyclic voltammetry (CV), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), and chronoamperometry. NOVA software provides an intuitive interface to design experiments, collect high-resolution data, and analyze results, including plotting Nyquist plots, Tafel curves, and reaction kinetics. This combination enables researchers to investigate charge-transfer processes, electrode stability, and reaction mechanisms, optimizing electrode materials, electrolytes, and overall cell performance for high-efficiency, durable LIBs.

PC for Rendering Simulations

In lithium-ion battery (LIB) research, a PC for rendering simulations is used to model and predict the behavior of battery materials, electrodes, and full cells before experimental testing. High-performance computers run simulations such as finite element analysis (FEA), computational fluid dynamics (CFD), or molecular dynamics to study ion transport, thermal management, stress distribution, and electrochemical reactions. These simulations help researchers visualize internal processes, identify performance-limiting factors, and optimize design parameters like electrode structure, electrolyte composition, and cell geometry. By reducing reliance on costly and time-consuming physical experiments, simulation PCs accelerate battery development, enhance safety assessments, and guide material selection for high-performance, long-life LIBs.