Battery life could be extended with US scientists' imaging technique

Researchers at UCLA have developed a novel imaging technique called electrified cryogenic electron microscopy (eCryoEM) that captures high-resolution images of lithium-metal batteries while they charge, at a scale smaller than the wavelength of light. This method involves rapidly freezing thin batteries in liquid nitrogen during charging to preserve and visualize the formation and growth of the corrosion layer over time. By compiling images taken at various time points, the researchers created a "flipbook" animation revealing how the corrosion film develops, providing critical insights into the electrochemical processes occurring under real reaction conditions—something previously unobservable with traditional postmortem techniques. The study found that the corrosion layer’s growth initially depends on how quickly lithium reacts (reaction-limited stage) and later slows down as electron diffusion through the layer becomes the limiting factor (diffusion-limited stage). Notably, the electrolyte’s reactivity plays a larger role in early-stage corrosion than previously understood, with a more inert electrolyte significantly reducing corrosion growth. These findings suggest that engineering