Electrochemical Analysis of Battery Materials
Laboratory Services provided by IBU-tec
The electrochemical laboratory at IBU-tec is ready for you to get started on systematically developing, testing, and optimizing your battery materials. Since 2021, we have been operating a specialized electrochemical laboratory dedicated to the characterization and quality control of cathode and anode materials—with a particular focus on lithium iron phosphate (IBUvolt® LFP) and nickel manganese oxide (IBUvolt® NMO).
Our laboratory combines state-of-the-art testing technology with data-driven analysis: We measure voltages, currents, resistances, and electrochemical parameters using potentiostatic and galvanostatic measurements, and, upon request, analyze the results using AI-driven methods. This means you receive not only measurement data, but also reliable insights into the performance and optimization potential of your battery materials.
Comprehensive Determination of Electrochemical Properties under controlled conditions
To accurately assess the performance of battery materials, every step—from powder analysis to cell testing—must be carefully coordinated. Our electrochemical laboratory in Weimar therefore brings together all key disciplines of battery material research under one roof:
- Chemical-physical analysis to determine the composition, structure, and morphology of your active materials.
- Electrode technology, including slurry development, coating, calendering, and drying.
- Cell preparation in defined formats (e.g., button cells, Swagelok cells).
- Charge and discharge protocols under climate-controlled conditions for reproducible performance determination.
Our focus is always on understanding the electrochemical processes on the electrode surfaces and within the active layer. We investigate how material properties affect capacity, efficiency, internal resistance, cycle stability, and degradation—and provide you with the information you need to make informed decisions regarding material selection, formulation changes, and process adjustments.
The insights gained are directly incorporated into the further development of our own IBUvolt® materials and are simultaneously available to you as a basis for your projects.
Complete Process Chain: from active powder to finished test cell
Our electrochemistry lab covers the entire process chain, from active material to finished test cell. This allows us to test your materials under conditions that closely match industrial processes:
1. Slurry Preparation
The electrode slurry is prepared using centrifugal mixers under a controlled atmosphere. Formulations can be specifically adjusted (binder systems, conductive additives, solids content) to optimize processing behavior and electrode structure.
2. Coating and Calendering
Using a slurry coating applicator with a heating function, the mixtures are precisely applied to current collectors. This is followed by compaction in a calender, where pressure and temperature (up to approx. 100 °C) can be precisely adjusted and controlled in a reproducible manner.
3. Drying and Fitting
The coated electrodes are deep-dried in vacuum ovens with a heating option to reliably remove residual solvents. Cutting presses ensure precise cutting and consistent electrode geometries.
4. Cell Assembly under a protective atmosphere
Button cells (CR2016, CR2025, CR2032) and Swagelok cells are assembled in an SP glovebox with gas purification and a controlled argon atmosphere. Oxygen and moisture levels are strictly controlled to ensure reproducible cell conditions.
Based on this integrated process chain, you receive test results that realistically reflect not only the material but the entire electrochemical structure—ideal for material screening, comparative studies, and preliminary development for new generations of cells.
Powerful Testing Methods for Performance and Degradation Analysis
For the electrochemical characterization of your battery materials, our laboratory offers a variety of testing methods that allow us to thoroughly assess both short-term performance and long-term behavior:
- Rate Tests
Investigation of capacity at different C-rates (e.g., C/10, C/5, C/2, 1C, 2C) to evaluate performance under high charge and discharge currents and to compare the rate capability of the materials. - Long-term Cycle Tests
Several hundred to thousands of charge/discharge cycles to evaluate cycle stability, capacity retention, and aging mechanisms under real-world conditions. - Pulse Tests
Analysis of behavior under dynamic load profiles, such as those relevant in electric mobility or grid operation. This allows for a better understanding of short-term power requirements and load limits. - Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS)
Frequency-dependent measurements to determine internal resistance, charge transfer processes, and diffusion behavior. EIS provides valuable information about interfaces, SEI formation, pore structure, and degradation.
The measured data are continuously recorded, processed, and visualized. Upon request, we use AI-driven analytical methods to detect patterns in large datasets, efficiently evaluate parameter studies, and identify hidden correlations, e.g. between process parameters and cell performance.
As a result, you’ll gain not just a snapshot, but a deep understanding of how your battery materials perform throughout their entire lifecycle.
Standardized Testing Procedures and an Experienced Team of Experts
The quality of electrochemical data depends largely on clearly defined procedures and consistent execution. At IBU-tec, you will work with an experienced team of experts who have been applying electrochemical analyses in research and industry for many years.
Under the direction of Dr. Katja Kretschmer—a chemist with a Ph.D. and approximately ten years of experience in chemical engineering, materials science, and electrochemistry—our tests follow standardized, clearly documented procedures:
- Cell Assembly in low-oxygen and low-humidity environments to minimize parasitic effects.
- Initial Formation of the cells using defined charging protocols (e.g., C/10) to activate the materials and form stable interfaces.
- Conducting Rate Tests and cycle tests with precisely defined charge/discharge profiles and cut-off voltages.
- Data Recording and Analysis, including capacity and efficiency curves, voltage profiles, impedance spectra, and time series analyses.
This structured approach allows you to directly compare cells, materials, and process variations. You can see how your materials perform at different currents and over many cycles—and identify areas for improvement.
From benchmarking individual materials to evaluating new formulations or setting up complete development programs for battery materials—our lab team supports you in planning, conducting, and interpreting your electrochemical tests.
