(+353) 61 237759
University of Limerick, Bernal Institute, Limerick, V94 T9PX
Energy & Battery Materials
Advanced characterisation and research support for energy materials innovation
Attlas supports companies developing battery, energy storage and energy-related materials through advanced materials characterisation, surface analysis, microscopy, structural analysis, contamination investigation and research project development at the Bernal Institute, University of Limerick.
Through Attlas, industry partners can access analytical expertise, dedicated instrument scientists and a wider research ecosystem that includes AMPEiRE, the Centre for Battery and Energy Materials Research based in the Bernal Institute.
Our role is to help companies understand materials, surfaces, interfaces, particles, coatings, degradation mechanisms and performance-related questions and to connect those insights with the right analytical pathway, academic expertise and research project model.
Supporting battery and energy materials development
Energy technologies depend on materials. Whether a company is developing battery components, electrode materials, coatings, catalysts, energy harvesting materials, circular economy solutions or next-generation storage technologies, detailed understanding of material structure and behaviour is essential.
Attlas can support companies working across:
- Li-ion battery materials;
- silicon and high-capacity anode materials;
- lithium metal systems;
- sulphur-based cathodes;
- sodium-ion, potassium-ion and magnesium-ion battery materials;
- solid-state battery materials;
- redox flow battery materials;
- electrode coatings and interfaces;
- energy harvesting materials;
- electrocatalysts;
- thermoelectric, piezoelectric and photoelectric materials;
- circular economy and second-life battery materials;
- recycled, recovered or waste-derived energy materials;
- advanced powders, nanomaterials and composites.
Understanding materials from powder to performance
Battery and energy materials often fail or underperform because of issues that are difficult to see without advanced analysis. These may include surface chemistry changes, phase transformations, particle morphology, interface instability, contamination, thermal behaviour, coating defects or degradation during cycling.
Attlas helps companies answer questions such as:
- What crystalline phases are present in this battery or energy material?
- Has the material changed after processing, cycling or ageing?
- What is happening at the surface or interface?
- Is there contamination or residue affecting performance?
- How do two material suppliers, batches or process routes compare?
- What is the morphology of the powder, particle or coating?
- Is the electrode, coating or thin film structurally consistent?
- What thermal behaviour or degradation profile does the material show?
- Can we link material structure to performance or failure?
- Could this technical question become a consultancy, PhD or funded research project?
Battery material characterisation
Understanding the structure, chemistry, morphology and behaviour of active materials, powders, electrodes and components.
Relevant to:
- anode materials;
- cathode materials;
- silicon-based materials;
- lithium metal systems;
- sulphur-based materials;
- sodium, potassium and magnesium systems;
- solid-state materials;
- battery additives;
- binders and coatings;
- recycled or recovered materials.
Powder, particle and morphology analysis
Characterising particle shape, size, structure, agglomeration, distribution and material consistency.
Relevant to:
- powder development;
- batch comparison;
- supplier evaluation;
- process optimisation;
- precursor materials;
- nanomaterials;
- electrode fabrication;
- quality investigation.
Coatings, films and engineered surfaces
Analysing the structure and chemistry of coatings, films, interlayers and engineered surfaces used to improve energy material performance.
Relevant to:
- protective coatings;
- current collectors;
- interlayers;
- electrode coatings;
- surface treatments;
- energy harvesting materials;
- electrocatalyst systems;
- advanced device materials.
Relevant analytical capabilities
Attlas can help identify the most appropriate technique or combination of techniques based on the sample, material system and technical question.
Relevant techniques for energy and battery materials may include:
- XRD for crystalline phases, structural changes, phase identification and material comparison;
- Powder XRD for phase identification, crystallinity assessment and powder characterisation;
- Single Crystal XRD for detailed 3D structural confirmation of crystalline compounds and materials;
- XPS for surface chemistry, oxidation, coatings and contamination analysis;
- SEM/EDX for morphology, surface features and elemental composition;
- SEM-FIB for cross-sectioning coatings, interfaces, defects and internal structures;
- TEM/STEM for nanoscale imaging, particle analysis and advanced material investigation;
- FTIR for organic identification, polymer analysis and residue screening;
- Raman for non-destructive molecular fingerprinting, phase identification and material mapping;
- ToF-SIMS for ultra-sensitive surface chemical analysis, molecular fragments and depth profiling;
- AFM for surface topography, roughness and nanoscale surface measurement;
- Confocal microscopy for high-resolution 3D imaging and surface profiling;
- DSC/TGA for polymer, thermal and material behaviour;
- XRD for crystalline phases, powders and structural material changes;
- Solid-State NMR for detailed chemical and structural analysis of solid materials, polymers, powders and complex formulations;
- Nanoindentation for hardness, stiffness, coating performance and local mechanical properties.
Where appropriate, Attlas can also help connect industry partners to AMPEiRE capabilities such as battery testing, cell fabrication, electrode fabrication and operando analysis.
Connecting industry to AMPEiRE and Bernal Institute capability
AMPEiRE provides a strong research base in battery and energy materials, including advanced Li-ion batteries, high-energy-density chemistries, sustainable non-Li batteries, energy-related devices, advanced characterisation, circular economy approaches and policy/economic drivers.
Attlas can act as a practical industry-facing route into this wider capability where companies need analytical services, consultancy, training, project scoping or collaborative research development.
This means companies can start with a technical question and, where appropriate, develop a pathway into deeper engagement with Bernal Institute researchers, AMPEiRE expertise, PhD projects, postdoctoral research, funded collaborative projects or longer-term strategic partnerships.
Surface and interface analysis
Investigating the surfaces and interfaces that influence performance, degradation, safety and stability.
Relevant to:
- electrode-electrolyte interfaces;
- surface oxidation;
- coating behaviour;
- passivation layers;
- thin films;
- interlayers;
- contamination;
- degradation products;
- process-related surface changes.
Thermal and degradation analysis
Understanding how battery and energy materials behave under heat, processing, ageing or operational stress.
Relevant to:
- thermal stability;
- material decomposition;
- binder behaviour;
- polymeric components;
- degradation studies;
- safety-related material screening;
- comparative material evaluation.
Circular economy and second-life materials
Supporting the analysis and development of materials linked to reuse, recovery, recycling and second-life applications.
Relevant to:
- recycled battery materials;
- recovered metals and compounds;
- second-life battery assessment;
- waste-derived materials;
- circular materials development;
- sustainability-focused R&D;
- material valorisation projects.
From analysis to collaborative research
Some energy materials questions can be answered through focused analytical testing. Others may require deeper investigation through consultancy, academic collaboration, PhD research, postdoctoral projects or funded R&D.
Attlas helps companies identify the right route.
This may include:
- one-off sample analysis;
- multi-technique materials investigation;
- battery material characterisation;
- technical consultancy;
- bespoke industry training;
- feasibility studies;
- prototype or material comparison;
- AMPEiRE-linked research engagement;
- funded collaborative research;
- PhD or postdoctoral research projects;
- longer-term strategic partnerships.
© 2021 Attlas. All rights reserved
Created by rayobrientech@gmail.com