MY005 - Developing Quantitative In Situ and Operando Neutron Metrology for Dynamic Electrochemical Interfaces
Many processes that determine the performance, selectivity, and failure of electrochemical technologies, including ion transport, metal deposition, gas evolution, phase transformations, and interfacial strain, occur dynamically at buried interfaces that are difficult to characterize during operation.
Neutrons offer unique sensitivity to light elements such as Li and H, high penetration through electrochemical devices, and isotope- and energy-dependent contrast, providing opportunities to quantify processes that are challenging to resolve using conventional characterization alone. [1-3]
This DPhil will develop quantitative in situ and operando neutron metrology for resolving dynamic electrochemical interfaces across space, time, and neutron energy. The central objective is to develop the measurement methodology itself, including neutron-compatible electrochemical cells, calibration and reference strategies, optimized acquisition protocols, quantitative reconstruction and segmentation, image registration, uncertainty analysis, and correlative neutron/X-ray workflows. These approaches will build on established in situ and operando neutron and X-ray imaging methodologies developed by the supervisory team. [1-4]
Dr Maha Yusuf brings expertise in electrochemistry, custom electrochemical cell design, quantitative Li plating diagnostics, and in situ/operando neutron and X-ray imaging. Prof. James Marrow brings expertise in quantitative materials characterization, strain and damage mapping, neutron and synchrotron methods, and development of in situ measurement methodologies.
The student will work with complementary capabilities across:
• ISIS (UK): operando time-of-flight neutron imaging for phase evolution.
• ORNL (U.S.): neutron radiography and tomography for gas evolution processes.
• PSI (Switzerland): high-resolution neutron microscopy for heterogeneity at electrochemical interfaces.
References
1. Yusuf, M.; Cushing, S. “Reports from the Frontier: In Situ 3D Neutron and X-ray Imaging for Battery Diagnostics.” The Electrochemical Society Interface 2025, 34(2), 24. [Invited ECS Perspective]
2. Yusuf, M. et al. “Neutron-Friendly Li-Ion Battery Coin Cell for In Situ 3D Visualization of Li Plating.” Journal of The Electrochemical Society 2025, 172, 090531.
3. Yusuf, M. et al. “Simultaneous Neutron and X-ray Tomography for Visualization of Graphite Electrode Degradation in Fast-Charged Lithium-Ion Batteries.” Cell Reports Physical Science 2022, 3(11). [2022 Editor’s Choice]
4. Zillhardt, T.; Burca, G.; Ludwig, W.; Liu, D.; Marrow, T. J. “In Situ Observation of Crystal Reorientation in Polygranular Graphite by Synchrotron X-ray Diffraction and Neutron Imaging.” Carbon 2023, 214, 118378.
