Cycle life evaluation of 3 Ah LixMn2O4-based lithium-ion secondary cells for low-earth-orbit satellites: II. Harvested electrode examination

Lithium-ion batteries are a candidate for the energy storage system onboard low-earth-orbit satellites. Terrestrial experiments are able to capture the performance degradation of cells in orbit, therefore providing the opportunity for lifetime investigations. The lifetime performance of 3 Ah commercial LixMn2O4-based pouch cells was evaluated in a matrix of different cycling depths-of-discharge (DODs: 0, 20, 40%) and temperatures (25, 45 °C). Aged cells were disassembled and the electrochemical performance of harvested electrodes investigated with two- and three-electrode pouch cells. The positive electrode had a larger decrease in capacity than the negative electrode. Both the positive and negative electrode contributed to the increase of cell impedance measured at high states-of-charge (SOCs). The data at low SOCs indicated that the increase of cell impedance was associated with the positive electrode, which showed a significant increase in the magnitude of the high-frequency semi-circle. This SOC-dependence was observed for cells cycled for either extended periods of time or at higher temperatures with a 40% DOD swing. Low-current cycling of positive electrodes revealed a change in the second potential plateau, possibly reflecting a structural change of the LixMn2O4. This could impact on the electrode kinetics and provide a possible explanation for the SOC-dependent change of the impedance

Cycle life evaluation of 3 Ah LixMn2O4-based lithium-ion secondary cells for low-earth-orbit satellites: I. Full cell results

Lithium-ion batteries are a candidate for the energy storage system onboard low-earth-orbit satellites. Cycle life performance under both orbital and terrestrial conditions must be investigated in order to evaluate any inadvertent effects due to the former and the validity of the latter, with a successful comparison allowing for the extension of terrestrial experimental matrices in order to identify the effects of ageing. The orbital performance of LixMn2O4-based pouch cells onboard the microsatellite REIMEI was monitored and compared with terrestrial experiments, with the cells found to be unaffected by orbital conditions. A lifetime matrix of different cycling depths-of-discharge (DODs: 0, 20, 40%) and temperatures (25, 45 °C) was undertaken with periodic reference performance tests. A decrease in both the cell end-of-discharge cycling voltage and capacity was accelerated by both higher temperatures and larger DODs. Impedance spectra measured for all ageing conditions indicated that the increase was small, manifested in a state-of-charge dependent increase of the high-frequency semi-circle and a noticeable increase in the high-frequency real axis intercept. An evaluation of the change of both the resistance and capacity of 3 Ah cells led to the development of a potential prognostic state-of-health indicator. The use of elevated temperatures to accelerate cell ageing was validated

ILC Reference Design Report Volume 1 - Executive Summary

The International Linear Collider (ILC) is a 200-500 GeV center-of-mass high-luminosity linear electron-positron collider, based on 1.3 GHz superconducting radio-frequency (SCRF) accelerating cavities. The ILC has a total footprint of about 31 km and is designed for a peak luminosity of 2x10^34 cm^-2s^-1. This report is the Executive Summary (Volume I) of the four volume Reference Design Report. It gives an overview of the physics at the ILC, the accelerator design and value estimate, the detector concepts, and the next steps towards project realization.The International Linear Collider (ILC) is a 200-500 GeV center-of-mass high-luminosity linear electron-positron collider, based on 1.3 GHz superconducting radio-frequency (SCRF) accelerating cavities. The ILC has a total footprint of about 31 km and is designed for a peak luminosity of 2x10^34 cm^-2s^-1. This report is the Executive Summary (Volume I) of the four volume Reference Design Report. It gives an overview of the physics at the ILC, the accelerator design and value estimate, the detector concepts, and the next steps towards project realization