Facilities

Facilities

The Laboratory of Energy Materials and Devices at the University catholique de Louvain is headed by Prof. Vlad. The lab occupies an area of ~300 m2 in wings A.3 and B.2, Lavoisier Building. This space is compartmentalized into two materials synthesis labs and several device characterization labs, all conforming to the highest safety standards.
We have a strong battery and supercapacitor expertise with facilities ranging from materials synthesis and fundamental characterization to advance device manufacture and testing:

 

  • Li-half, and Li-ion cell expertise, synthesis, assembly and testing;
  • Na(K)-half, and Na(K)-ion cell expertise, synthesis, assembly and testing;
  • Supercapacitors – electrode, materials, assembly and testing
  • Synthesis of inorganic and organic active materials and electrolyte compositions.

Materials Synthesis lab

  • 4 boxes for a total of “30 gloves” – 15 work stations
  • Sulfide Electrolyte and Materials Glove Box
  • 2 analytical and cell assembly boxes
  • One chemical box – synthesis, handling and processing of air-sensitive materials and chemicals, in liquid and solid phase. Equipment included inside: FTIR, Raman, Electrochemistry, Furnace (300°C), Karl Fischer, vacuum line for filtration, centrifuge, Coin cell and Swagelok format, 2- and 3-electrode cell assembly, etc …
  • One muffle furnace (1100 – 1700°C), with option for vacuum and controlled atmosphere.
  • Two tubular furnaces (1100 – 1700°C)
  • THREE vacuum and convection ovens.
  • 3D printer, of also electrochemical cells and battery encasing;
  • 100T press;
  • One high energy ball miller, and one planetary ball miller.
  • Automated electrode coater, press machine, slitter.
  • Compact Sputter Coater
  • Ten bench-top fume hoods
  • >50 autoclave reactors
  • Schlenk glassware with mechanicl pump
  • Rotary evaporator

Characterization lab

Battery Testing

350 channels (Neware, Arbin, Biologic)
Low current (10nA) to High current (30A) capability
16 channels with automated PEIS during cycling

Climatic Chambers

For battery testing and electrochemical analysis
2 Heating chambers (RT > 250°C)
1 Low-Hight T (-70°C > 150°C)

Potentiostats

16 channels (Biologic, Ametek)
Low current, low noise (fA range)

High Energy & Resolution XRD

Cu, Mo, Ag X-ray sources available, operated in transmission mode
High resolution, Mythen 1D detector
In-situ and in-operando electrochemical analysis
Thick pouch cell stack analysis is possible with high energy Mo and Ag radiation

Advanced Electrochemical Studies

Scanning Electrochemical Cell Microscope for Surfaces and interfaces analyses, inside a glove box
Faraday Cage, Current Booster/Amplifiers
Rotating Ring Disk Electrode apparatus
Olympus optical microscope

Elemental Analysis

XRF system
CHNS/O system
ICP-OES system

Shared equipment at UCL Platforms – ASMSUCH – MICA – WINFAB

Battery Expertise and Technology Platform available expertise and machines

In-situ and Ex-situ solid and liquid component analysis of cycled cells, reactive materials, and constituents
1H, 13C NMR of cycled electrolytes
XPS and TOF-SIMS of cycled electrodes and interphases (SEI, CEI, etc)
FIB-SEM of cycled electrodes