Page 11 - Shimadzu Journal vol.10 Issue1

Understanding and trusting relationships based on the idea of contributing to each other INSIGHT from CUSTOMER

Mr. Keiji Sumiya

We heard that you have a unique story How have Shimadzu analytical and
about your promotion for broader measuring instruments been useful
acceptance of battery analysis...? for that visualization process?

At the time, I was wondering how I could explain the ben- Our company uses a variety of Shimadzu instruments,
efits of battery analysis to a manager responsible for coor- such as X-ray CT, SPM, LC, GPC, and GC-MS systems, de-
dinating development but who put little focus on battery pending on the analysis target and the purpose.
analysis. Then, I consolidated the key points of combined For example, Shimadzu instruments are used to ana-
multifaceted analytical data onto both sides of an A3 size lyze both the negative-electrode structure and reactions
piece of paper and left it on his desk without saying any- at the surface of negative-electrode materials, which
thing. That was the trigger that flipped the development have a major effect on battery performance.
coordinator’s attitude from “We do not need analysis” A Shimadzu X-ray CT inspection system is typically
to “Wow! That is really amazing! If I gather everyone to- used for structural analysis of negative electrodes. Imp-
gether, would you give a presentation today?” After that, roving performance requires controlling the voids bet-
we gave similar presentations to customers, resulting in ween particles, which function as the pathways for lithium
reactions such as “We have never seen data like this ion movement. Since the X-ray CT inspection system en-
before!” It converted the images that battery developers ables non-destructive observation of electrode structures,
had only been imagining in their minds into visual data the electrolyte penetration pathways can be visualized by
they could actually see. Rather than simply analyzing identifying the voids formed between negative-electrode
batteries, it provided the opportunity to build trust by material particles. Visualizing the voids to compare how
presenting analytical data based on anticipating cus- pathways are connected in a product being developed
tomer expectations 2 or 3 steps ahead and generating versus a standard product resulted in determining that de-
reactions such as “We had no idea you had thought so velopment samples with superior performance have more
deeply about it.” pathways and lower pathway curvature.

3D image visualizing the pore pathway among anode material
particles based on the X-ray CT image analysis
[Consideration of electrolyte movement from void pathway]

Total number of void paths Small ˱ Large Comparison result from curvature rate histogram
between Conventional sample and Improved
sample based on numerical analysis of the pore
pathway indicating the mobility of the electrolyte

ɿConventional samples
ɿImproved samples

Tortuosity (curvature of the void path)
Small ˱ Large

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