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What is to Come in Battery Technology

November 24, 2021

Battery technology is ever evolving as research and development into different materials, configurations, and designs bring new insights and breakthroughs. As the world moves towards green energy, batteries play an important role in powering the future. Be it consumer devices like smartphones or laptops, or electric vehicles and grid storage, battery technology is essential.

It can be years from when a breakthrough is made until it becomes commercially viable. During the period of maturing, more discoveries could potentially change the game. Arbin Instruments has been a long-standing participant in battery research, providing high quality, high precision battery test equipment to support research and development in various ways. Here are three technologies that could make an impact on the future of battery performance.

Maturing solid-state batteries

Solid-state batteries (SSB) have been in the game for a while. The appeal of this technology is that it replaces the flammable liquid electrolyte within current batteries with a solid alternative, mitigating the fire risk. However, over the years there have been many obstacles to overcome in order to design a viable version of the battery. These include issues like interface between electrodes and electrode degradation. Because of its solid form, ions within an SSB cannot move as freely between the anode and cathode as within its liquid counterpart, and they tend to degrade too rapidly for long cycle life applications.

These issues are gradually being addressed. Sakuu Corporation recently announced an industrial 3D printer that could mass produce solid-state batteries for smaller electric vehicles, technology that can be easily scaled up for larger applications. This simplifies the manufacturing process and lowers costs of SSBs, and could be applied to existing or new materials.

Other companies have also been exploring ways to deliver more seamless ways to transition to solid-state alternatives. Natrion, a battery research startup, recently announced a high-performance, flexible, and durable solid electrolyte film. The company designed the component in a way that is easily compatible with current lithium-ion battery manufacturing processes, so that manufacturers can rapidly transition their production lines into adopting this technology, without changing the entire process. This also helps to lower production costs and reduces concerns around complete revamps of production lines.

Non-lithium batteries

There are a multitude of material and chemical combinations that can comprise batteries. Different configurations change the efficiency, capacity, and stability of a battery. Most common batteries nowadays use lithium, with nickel, cobalt, and manganese among others to make up different battery components. Many researchers are investigating materials like air or silicon that can be combined with lithium removing more toxic metals like cobalt from the battery.

However, there is also research into batteries that do not use lithium. One such example is a CO2 battery. Startup company Noon Energy has been exploring a low-cost rechargeable battery that uses carbon and oxygen and is eyeing this as a solution for grid-scale storage. As renewable energy is adopted more and more, larger and more efficient storage solutions need to be developed to ensure a reliable amount of energy is stored for use. They favor the use of CO2 as it is abundant, cheap, and energy efficient.

How Arbin can support battery research

Arbin continuously innovates to support battery research. For instance, Arbin commercialized a three-electrode “3E” coin cell design developed and patented by General Motors. The extra reference electrode allows researchers to evaluate both the positive and negative electrodes simultaneously during cell testing. This helps to reduce time and cost during the research process.

The Arbin multichannel potentiostat/galvanostat system (MSTAT) provides independent potentiostat/galvanostat channels that each have a built-in connection for such three electrode cells, and supports both coin cell and pouch formats. The accompanying “3E” cell holders can be plugged directly into the MSTAT channels for testing.

The MSTAT can be used with a wide range of battery chemistries and provides best in class performance with 24-bit resolution and precision better than 40ppm. Arbin can help researchers identify which electrode in the battery is the limiting factor faster than ever before!

Various modules that can be added onto Arbin systems can also support battery testing and materials research. The EIS module is an integrated solution that combines the battery test performance of Arbin with the advanced EIS capability of Gamry, allowing users to share up to 32 Arbin tester channels with a single Gamry EIS unit.

Innovation is an ecosystem. Advances in battery test equipment and tools help lead to new findings and expediting the R&D process. High quality battery testing technology can support materials research in order to explore new chemistries that could lead to the next generation of high-density energy storage devices. Although the process of research and development can be long and arduous, there are many breakthroughs big and small happening all the time. All these, together, lay the foundation for the technology and world that we will experience in the near future.

The Impact of Temperature on Battery Testing

November 12, 2021

Temperature has a significant impact on battery performance. A battery releases energy through electro-chemical reactions and these reactions are encouraged by higher ambient temperatures. Different battery chemistries have different ranges of optimal operating temperatures. Depending on the application or the climate that the battery will be used in, they would be required to operate in higher or lower temperatures.

However, operating batteries at extreme temperatures also comes with risks. At higher temperatures, there is a reduction in internal resistance, which means higher electron mobility and greater charge/discharge rates. Nevertheless, studies have also shown operating a battery at elevated temperatures speeds up degradation, diminishing the cell’s life cycle.

Continuous exposure to high temperatures can also cause unwanted chemical reactions and result in gas, corrosion, or even fires and explosions. Moreover, a battery cell can enter into thermal runaway — when the cell heats up faster than heat can dissipate, causing a continuous increase in temperature. If one cell in the pack heats up, this can quickly cause the whole pack to overheat, undermining the safety of the system, machine, or surrounding people.

Conversely, lower temperatures decrease battery performance and energy capacity. Electro-chemical reactions are not as active and the internal resistance increases, damaging the battery in the long run. This is why it is extremely crucial to take temperature into account when testing batteries.

Why is temperature important in battery testing?

Battery testers and researchers need to establish how a battery would react under different temperatures to see if they are suitable for their intended application and location of use. As new battery chemistries emerge or existing ones improve, researchers must conduct testing to determine the battery’s optimal temperature range for peak performance. Moreover, this helps determine whether it is suitable for conditions they are intended to operate in. Comprehensive testing under different temperatures also helps determine which conditions can negatively impact battery performance, and allow users to better prevent dangerous situations from occurring.

How Arbin can support temperature-controlled testing

Arbin Instruments can support labs with various products when temperature-controlled testing is needed. Arbin provides three different types of battery temperature measurement options: thermocouple, RTD, and thermistor, depending on your testing needs. Thermal sensors provide reliable temperature readings so that labs can more completely assess a battery's performance. The different sensor types are appropriate for certain ranges of temperature, with varying response times and susceptibility to electrical noise. Experts at Arbin Instruments are able to help labs evaluate the most appropriate sensor for the intended application.

How Arbin’s novel battery test chamber can help

Arbin’s novel "MZTC" Multi-Chamber is a cell-isolating thermal safety chamber with 8 independent mini temperature chambers in one benchtop unit. As each mini-chamber is its own battery test chamber, it is much easier for researchers to ensure that the temperature of the chamber is stable and uniform, significantly reducing problems from uneven temperatures that that can occur with a larger chamber. It also provides users with greater temperature control and a safe testing environment. If batteries in one chamber overheat or enter into a thermal runaway event, it is less likely to cascade to other batteries inside the other mini chambers.

Moreover, Arbin offers the “MTCI” module, an interface that is compatible with many 3rd party temperature chambers when temperature and/or humidity-controlled environments are required. Using RS232 communication, users can set the temperature of a chamber during testing. Paired with Arbin’s MITS Pro software, the user-friendly interface makes it easy for researchers to not only set the temperature of the test chamber, but also synchronize a group of channels where the temperature is adjusted only after all the channels have reached the same temperature point.

Testing equipment that can best support a battery research lab will need to facilitate both safety and productivity. At Arbin, our experts can assist in planning and recommending solutions and products that best fit your requirements. Contact us now to learn more about how we can assist you with temperature-controlled testing needs

Three Benefits of Central Battery Test System Control

September 24, 2021

Why is it important to obtain large amounts of data when testing?

Data is one of the most important elements of research and testing. In various industries and fields, data gives researchers insight into the subject of study. A wealth of data also provides a foundation upon which to base findings and conclusions. Especially in an industry such as battery testing, comprehensive and extensive testing ensures safer and more efficient batteries.

Most labs would be running more than one battery tester at a time. Testing can be a long process and researchers must make good use of time in order to facilitate battery development. Moreover, conducting large volumes of testing helps researchers to identify patterns or spot abnormalities in battery performance and testing, and address the situation as soon as possible. Without multiple tests, it would be difficult to identify the circumstances under which problems or anomalies occur. It would also be harder to pinpoint situations that need attending to.

Understanding these challenges, Arbin’s expert engineers developed the Central Monitor and Control Solution (CMCS) to complement our core MITS Pro software and aid researchers in managing multiple testers. Here we outline 3 benefits to setting up a centralized control system

1. Have all your controls in one place

A centralized control system allows researchers to control multiple battery testers from one single PC. This gives researchers a better overview and easier management of active cyclers. Users can easily see what tests are currently being conducted and schedule test times. Systems like Arbin’s CMCS allow users to start, stop, and resume testing on any networked battery testers.

2. Increase lab efficiency

Monitoring each PC, tester, or system individually can be quite inefficient and time-consuming. Centralized systems also allow researchers to control the tests without having to visit each individual machine. If anything needs to be changed or updated it can be done from one PC, saving time and energy. This leaves more room for labs to increase productivity and streamline their processes.

3. Catch problems as soon as possible

Any issues that arise during battery testing can be quite dangerous. For instance, if there is a potential for thermal runaway or a short circuit that can affect the safety of the lab, it is imperative to catch it as soon as possible. Again, if lab technicians and researchers would have to check one machine at a time it could waste valuable time. It would be easier to catch it from one central monitoring system and address any issues as soon as they arise.

Managing multiple testers and cyclers can be overwhelming. Arbin’s Central Monitor and Control Solution (CMCS) allows labs running multiple testers to better manage and monitor their ecosystem of testers. The CMCS greatly simplifies the management of battery test equipment and supports labs and researchers to conduct more productive and efficient tests. Learn more about the features of Arbin’s CMCS here.

Arbin Instruments Establishes Office in Pune, India

August 27, 2021

Arbin Instruments, manufacturer or high-precision battery test equipment, is pleased to announce the opening of its India office in Pune. The Arbin India office will provide sales and service support for current and future Indian customers.

Arbin established the new branch in response to the increasing demand for battery research and battery testing equipment in India. Arbin’s new India office is a direct reflection of the company’s resolve to empower and promote battery innovations worldwide. Arbin understands the vital role energy storage plays in everyday life and its importance to the future. As a result, the Arbin team works hard to provide high-quality service and testing equipment as a tool for both research and industry.

The Arbin India office will also allow Arbin to work directly with customers in India to provide sales and support to enhance established and new relationships. Vinod Pursani, CEO of the Arbin India office, says, “We are excited to continue providing state-of-the-art test equipment and service to India’s energy storage researchers.” Arbin India is equipped to assist customers with everything from identifying appropriate battery testing equipment, providing relevant auxiliary equipment, and supporting Arbin customers with quality service.

Sales and service in India was previously managed by Arbin’s long-time partner, Metrohm India Pvt. Ltd. The Arbin India office team will work closely with Metrohm India through an extended transition period to ensure continuous support for customers. “We thank Metrohm India for their dedicated work over the past ten years,” says Pursani.

The Arbin India office officially opened in January 2021 with dedicated teams for sales, support, and testing. “We have assembled a team with the experience and passion to serve the Indian market well,” says Arbin Indo-Pacific Sales Manager Richard Rogers. The launch of the new office comes as the company celebrates 30 years in business, highlighting decades of innovation and dedication in the battery industry.

5 Reasons Your Lab Needs a Battery Rack Connection System

July 26, 2021

As the demand for battery-powered devices rises, so does the need for battery testing. In the past, the average battery current needs were around 5-10 Amps. Nowadays, the average can be up to 100-200 Amps or even more. The added power makes it more important than ever to create a safe and orderly testing environment. One way to accomplish this is by using battery racks and connection systems.

What is a battery rack connection system?

A well-planned battery rack connection system allows researchers to set up and organize their testing equipment to optimize the safety and efficiency of the lab. The system consists of shelves that can hold the batteries undergoing testing as well as cable management. Here we outline five key reasons a battery testing lab can benefit greatly from a battery rack connection system.

1. Provide a Safe Laboratory Environment

A battery rack not only provides a definitive space for batteries to be stored, but it also allows for better cable management, and together they help prevent tripping hazards and potential dangers.

With a designated space for batteries, it will be easier to keep them out of contact with conductive materials, water, seawater, strong oxidizers, and strong acids as well as other materials that could pose a safety hazard if in contact with batteries. Moreover, it also reduces the risk of physical battery damage from being dropped, falling, or being accidentally knocked over.

Batteries like Li-ion ones have the potential to start fires if misused. Proper storage ensures that the batteries do not sustain physical damage through mishandling. It also allows researchers to easily catch when batteries are damaged or puffed up by giving them a clear and organized overview of the batteries.

With better cable management, it is also easier to identify another potential fire hazard: poor electrical connections. As cables are not left on the floor or hanging between surfaces or machines, the chances of tripping in the lab and accidentally loosening connections or damaging wires could be greatly reduced. Tripping is a common cause of accidents in a lab and can be easily prevented with proper management.

2. Comply with Laboratory Safety Regulations

Safety regulations are put in place for any laboratory setup in order to better prevent avoidable accidents. Many popular cells and other batteries formats used in research are considered hazardous materials. Since batteries are also a fire hazard and may contain toxic chemicals, proper handling and lab safety is critical.

There are several standards in place to ensure that batteries and battery testing are both safe. For instance, the Lithium-Ion Batteries Hazard and Use Assessment outlines the standards set by international institutions such as the Underwriters Laboratories, the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, and the International Electrotechnical Commission. These standards are in place to ensure consumer safety and to reduce fire and failure risks. A battery rack can assist labs in conducting efficient testing with safe processes.

A well-organized lab can also demonstrate a lab’s competence and professionalism. By meeting battery and battery test standards, a lab shows its commitment to accurate and safe testing. This helps to prove reliability and credibility to a lab’s partners, customers, and investors.

3. Simplify Physical Battery Management

As previously mentioned, battery racks help researchers keep better track of batteries as well as their respective connections. Batteries can be organized by tray or by rack and can be easily labeled by channel and position. During testing, researchers can better tie physical batteries to the data collected or to specific events. When any anomalies or testing issues arise, the relevant battery can be easily found and necessary steps taken before anything happens.

4. Use Limited Laboratory Space Efficiently

Labs are full of different equipment, computers, cables, and more. Moreover, researchers would also need sufficient space to safely navigate through the lab and reach certain equipment. Battery racks keep batteries organized, and by stacking upwards, there is more space in the lab for movement or even for extra equipment. An organization system helps keep researchers' workspace clean and tidy, in turn creating a safer working environment. Racks also make it easier to store batteries in a dry, temperature-controlled space that is required for the safe storage of batteries.

5. Enable Greater Battery Testing Productivity

With organized and efficient storage, less time can be spent dealing with various issues. Battery racks reduce potential safety issues and potential hazards from damaged batteries. Batteries that show unexpected or concerning results can be identified and removed quickly. Less time can also be spent working around batteries that are stored randomly or moving batteries when more space is needed.

A lab’s working procedures will also be more efficient and streamlined with better storage. As batteries can be stored on trays, they can be easily removed and switched out once testing is complete. Organized cables will make it more efficient to run and manage the testing process. Batteries can also be easily moved to different locations as needed for different test requirements. All these together reduce the time needed to manage the testing procedures, allowing more time for productive research.

Arbin’s Battery Rack Connection System

Arbin provides battery rack solutions that suit your needs and help you to take advantage of all these benefits for your laboratory. As leading experts in battery testing technology, Arbin battery racks are designed specifically with this purpose in mind. Our racks are made of aluminum and each layer holds one battery track, each of which can hold 4 or 8 battery cells. There is a 7” space in between layers to accommodate different trays or cells. Racks also have lockable casters to keep them in place or to easily move them as needed.

Arbin also has different battery rack options to suit the needs of your lab. Racks come in different sizes: single column with 5 layers; single column with 8 layers; two columns with 16 layers; and three columns with 24 layers. No matter the size of your lab and operation, you can find a rack system that works for you. Different tray types are also available for different types of batteries, including cylindrical cell trays and pouch or flat cell trays. A plain shelf is also available to accommodate other battery holders or battery formats. Cable lengths come in 6 ft, 12 ft, 20 ft, and 30ft to provide the distance you need for convenient connections between batteries and battery test equipment.

Our experts at Arbin can help you customize your ideal battery testing solution for your lab, pairing the right equipment and support infrastructure to meet your needs. Contact us today to learn more about Arbin’s battery rack connection solutions as well as our high-precision battery test equipment.

How Arbin’s Systems Support Real Life Battery Simulations

May 31, 2021

Arbin Drive Cycle Simulation Results

Why are real-life simulations important?

Most devices do not consume energy at a constant rate throughout the day. Large applications such as electric vehicles and grid storage go through periods of high and low energy demand. Even portable devices such as smartphones or laptops may be more heavily used at certain times of the day. How something is used – charged and discharged – has an effect on the overall health of a battery. By testing a battery with a simulation that mimics how a device is used in real life, manufacturers can more accurately estimate the performance of a consumer product battery over time and identify the areas that need improvement.

What features can support accurate simulations?

Good battery testing equipment with features that can support accurate simulations can go a long way. Arbin’s Regenerative Battery Testing Series (RBT) is optimized for dynamic test profiles. Here are a few key features that can support this:

-Data Points

The RBT can support over 300,000 data points for one simulation, allowing testers to plot an intricate and nuanced simulation that better reflects real-life battery usage. This can be done without any complicated programming, as test files can be uploaded in Excel or CSV formats.

-True Bipolar Circuitry

True bipolar circuitry means that the test equipment can switch between charging and discharging with no switch time in between. With this feature, dynamic test profiles can be accurately performed and properly mimic real usage. Moreover, the interval between data points can be as low as 50ms, giving testers a wide range of flexibility in their test profiles.

-Fast Data Sampling

The presence of integrated microcontrollers allows for fast data sampling at 0.3ms. Data is logged at 5ms intervals or 2000 points per second, meaning that the system can log every little detail of the charge and discharge simulation, giving testers an accurate snapshot of battery performance.

-High-Resolution Equipment

As with all of Arbin’s equipment, the RBT series has high resolution at 24-bit, compared with the industry standard of 16-bit. This means that even the smallest change in current or voltage is visible to a greater number of digits, catching even the smallest patterns or deviations in a battery’s performance.

On top of all of the aforementioned features, Arbin’s RBT is equipped with high-efficiency circuitry and power density. With regenerative circuitry, power is sent back to the grid when discharging, which lowers the energy costs of running the testing equipment. The RBT has a regenerative efficiency of 90-92%, providing testers with a more environmentally-friendly and cost-effective battery testing solution.

High-quality battery testing equipment can support the research and development of batteries and battery-powered devices. Contact us now to see how we can support your next challenge.

30th Anniversary- Celebrating the Past and Looking Towards the Future

January 6, 2021

Link to Podcast

This year will mark a big milestone for Arbin Instruments, as the leader in the battery and energy storage testing space will turn 30.

“Arbin’s customers come back because they know their sales engineer and the support team and the product team, and everyone is going to give them their 100% to make sure they have the reliable testing equipment that they need and the most innovative product they need to continue with their research,” Price said.

Learn more how Arbin can help you in your battery testing needs.

Using a Three-Electrode Cell in Battery Testing

June 30, 2020

Batteries commonly have two electrodes: anode and cathode. Ions travel through the separator to either electrode during the charge and discharge cycles and release energy in the process.

Battery test cells can be built to include a third electrode. This is known as the reference electrode (RE). The RE allows for greater analysis of battery performance as it decouples test results between anode and cathode.

When researching battery materials, the use of a reference electrode (RE) allows researchers to measure and differentiate the contribution of each component of the cell to its overall performance. Three-electrode experiments help identify which electrode (anode or cathode) limits the cell performance during long-term testing. It is important to identify how each electrode is contributing to cell degradation under various test conditions instead of blindly experimenting with one or both.

Why is this important?

Most all electrochemical experiments and battery tests provide greater understanding of the cell when the anode and cathode results can be decoupled through use of a reference electrode. This extends to what are traditionally considered “industrial” applications as well. The dynamic charge-discharge profiles and fast charge simulations associated with commercial devices and electric vehicles can draw unique performance from a battery compared to low-rate constant current cycling.

Three-electrode testing is also beneficial for evaluating battery safety. Minter and Juarez-Robles highlight how fast-charging, which is a highly sought characteristic for electric vehicles, creates a great need to detect and monitor lithium plating occurring on a cell anode. [Minter RD, Juarez-Robles D, et al 2018 J Vis Exp., (135):57735.] This can best be achieved using a three-electrode cell during testing.

One fundamental goal of battery research is to develop cells that are long-lasting. This is especially important for electric vehicle and grid storage applications where the commercial cells and battery packs must last thousands of cycles and up to 10 years. Three-electrode testing allows researchers to identify the limiting factor in their cell to focus attention where improvement is needed most.

How the reference electrode is used in different testing situations

During HPPC test, which are common for electric vehicle applications, the use of a reference electrode reveals electrode polarization.
Performing EIS shows the decoupled impedance from anode and cathode individually when a three-electrode cell is utilized.
The individual contribution of anode and cathode is revealed when demonstrating lithium loss due to SEI growth as a dominant aging mechanism.
Differential capacity analysis can reveal changes in the voltage profile of anode and cathode and how they individually contribute to cell degradation.

The obstacles in creating a stable and reliable three-electrode cell

Comparing results from a new three-electrode experiment to other published results needs to keep as many variables consistent as possible, such as electrode size, material amount, cell uniformity, etc., or else attempt to normalize results. This is a principal reason why traditional cell types are modified to incorporate a reference electrode as “homemade” cell, so results are easier to compare with minimal normalization. Researchers wish to demonstrate and compare their results to existing two-electrode data of the same cell type (cylindrical, pouch, coin). However, since most battery material work is conducted using coincells, this is the natural choice for three-electrode experiments to compare the new results with the vast amount of tradition two-electrode data in publication. The new experimental data will decouple the anode and cathode and provide new insights.

Other commercial three-electrode cells such as Swagelok-style or split cell designs are costly and not practical to implement and scale, and can sometimes to complicated to build and use. Test results from these types of cells must also be normalized when comparing with traditional battery formats (coin, cylindrical, pouch, etc.).

Arbin’s three-electrode test cell configuration and its benefits

The novel “3E” coincell has the same surface area as a traditional CR2032 coincell and makes it ideal for comparing results across all published coincell data. It provides users with the ability to rapidly prototype new materials by performing large-scale three electrode testing. Traditional methods have proven too expensive and provided inconsistent results. Arbin’s new 3E Coin Cell provides users with an affordable, easy to use three-electrode cell holder that allows for long-term cycling, and provides consistent results between samples. The low unit cost, disposable design, and easy-to-build coin cell structure allows users to quickly build a large number of cells for materials research testing. The 3E Coin Cell interfaces with Arbin’s 3E Coin Cell Holder, and connects directly with our MSTAT product series

The alternative solutions for decoupling test results between anode and cathode described in sections above exist because this data has the ability to expedite battery research and development and bring new battery chemistries to market faster.

Arbin’s latest generation of LBT and MSTAT high-precision battery test equipment has attracted attention from both academic and industry researchers due to its ability to also expedite the battery development process. 24-bit resolution, extreme precision, and state-of-the-art thermal management that are standard with Arbin produce more detailed and consistent results than other battery testers. This has led multiple industry partners to team up with Arbin on collaborative projects including ARPA-E grants. General Motors has permitted Arbin to license and commercialize a new three-electrode cell design that can further enhance and accelerate their battery testing program.

5 Features of Arbin’s Regenerative Battery Testing Series

June 17, 2020

A battery intended for a smartwatch should be tested with a slow and steady discharge profile that mimics the watch’s energy use in actuality. Conversely, a battery intended for larger applications such as electric vehicles, should be tested with dynamic test profiles that simulate how a car is used and driven. Battery test equipment should be able to test cells in a way that can accurately examine the cell with regards to its intended application. For instance, Arbin’s Regenerative Battery Testing (RBT) series is designed specifically for high-power batteries used in applications such as electric vehicles, military and stationary grid storage.

All of Arbin’s equipment is designed around the principles of flexibility, safety, and dependability. Learn more about the key features of our RBT series below.

Made for high-power applications

The RBT series is designed to test large battery packs. Providing wide voltage and current ranges and a high power range of up to 1MW.

The simulation control feature of the RBT allows the system to charge or discharge according to a dynamic test profile. For electric vehicles, this would mean importing a drive profile that mimics how energy and power demand changes during a drive. In an application such as grid storage, the test profile could mimic how the grid would collect and release energy throughout a certain period of time. The ability to conduct tests in this way is important to see how the switching between charging and discharging or the fluctuations in power requirements would affect the battery pack. Making use of true bipolar circuitry, there is no switching time between charging and discharging, meaning that more accurate simulations can be achieved. Each system is also built to run continuously at maximum power so there is no fear of overpowering the system if tests need to be run at high power for long periods of time.

Easy to program and collect data

Testing systems come with a PC equipped with MITS Pro, Arbin’s software package. The software is completely user-friendly and programming dynamic test profiles is simple. A text profile of time-vs-power or time-vs-current data in .xlsx, .csv, or .txt formats can be directly uploaded to the system. The system can safely handle thousands of data points to run your desired simulation.

Test profiles are completely customizable and easily programmed using dropdown menus. Parameters for different experiment controls such as current, voltage, power, load, and many others can be input directly into the system. All testing channels are completely independent but can also be combined to operate in parallel.

Data can be logged based on changes in Time, Current, or Voltage; data analysis and plotting tools are based in accessible programs such as Data Watcher and Microsoft Excel.

The goal of Arbin’s software is to simplify and streamline the testing process so users can get the most accurate and precise results.

The system has built-in safety features

Accidents or mishaps in battery testing can be dangerous. Circuit overloads, overheating, overcharging or over-discharging are problems that can occur during testing. MITS Pro also allows users to program safety limits for current, voltage, total power and more. Once a channel reaches the set limit, the system enters a rest state for a period of time, or halts the test altogether.

The system is also equipped with an emergency stop button and multiple levels of fusing to protect it from unintentional misuse. The equipment has onboard microcontrollers that will stop tests if there is a failure that poses a risk. These features are crucial in halting any problems as they arise, ensuring a safe testing environment.

An economical and efficient solution

One special feature of the RBT system is its use of regenerative circuitry to discharge power back to the grid. The system is able to send power back to the grid with >95% efficiency, making it a more economical solution by decreasing the net energy consumption of the system. This also helps facilitate the overall cooling process by reducing heat dissipation.

The discharge power is also cleaner than before with the total harmonic distortion as low as 3%.

Customizable to meet your needs

There are multiple auxiliary options that can be added to the RBT system to fit your testing needs. Extra options would allow users to better monitor individual cells within a pack. Temperature measurement channels and temperature chamber interfaces are available, which would give users more flexibility in measuring and controlling temperature during testing. CAN-bus communication is an option to test battery packs with integrated Battery Management Systems, which can help communicate valuable messages to the MITS Pro software. Digital or analog input/output modules can further help control testing procedures.

A comprehensive system that provides easy to use features greatly facilitates the testing process. High-power dynamic applications especially require strong and power-efficient equipment to conduct meticulous and rigorous testing and ensure safe procedures.

The Benefits of Arbin Instruments’ Three-Electrode Coincell Test Solution

March 25, 2020

Using a reference electrode, or RE, is critical in the research of battery materials. It allows researchers to measure and differentiate the contribution of each component in the cell to the cell’s overall performance, providing a clearer picture of the cell.

To find which electrode, either the anode or cathode, limits the cell performance during long-term testing, three-electrode experiments are particularly useful, preventing wasted time and resources blindly testing one electrode or the other under various conditions to find a meaningful result.

To that end, coincells are the more common format for early materials development. Faster development can be achieved by decoupling test results between positive and negative electrodes, since each can be evaluated simultaneously in the context of the full cell.

Arbin’s Three-Electrode Coincell Test Solution

Arbin has developed its MSTAT with 3-Electrode Package to make this critical process as easy as possible.

The MSTAT features 4-64 channels, a -5 to 5V range, a 5A max current, and optional EIS and multi-chamber functionality.

Each channel is an independent potentiostat/galvanostat, giving you full control of test profiles and data logging. In this way, Arbin’s solution delivers unmatched flexibility and agility.

In addition, the MSTAT features holders that plug directly into the unit, an overall compact and easy-to-use design, cells that include case, cap and gasket, SS316 stainless steel construction, and optional nickel coating.

The Arbin complete three-electrode test solution includes the MSTAT, patented thee-electrode kits, the MZTC Multi-Chamber and integrated EIS.

Primary applications for Arbin’s solution include life-cycle testing, dQ/dV and Coulombic Efficiency measurements, PITT/GITT, symmetric-cell testing, cyclic and linear sweep voltammetry, chronoamperometry, and more.

Offering higher resolution, improved software algorithms, new methods of temperature management, a patented shunt design, new time-keeping methods and improved materials, Arbin’s solutions offer precision that’s critical for long-term battery testing and projections.

Arbin’s Solution Delivers Results

By leveraging Arbin’s complete three-electrode testing solution, you can get clear, accurate and efficient results.

Utilizing the aforementioned decoupling of test results for anode and cathode, you can immediately reveal which one is the limiting factor in your cell, delivering an actionable insight you can use to move forward.

In short, Arbin’s Three-Electrode Coincell Kits and Holders are a major time-saver for material development, combining performance and functionality you can count on with speed that leads to more optimal results.

In the following graphs, you can see results for CC-CV Cycling testing delivered by the Arbin MSTAT:

These graphs highlight results delivered by Arbin’s three-electrode kits regarding electrode performance:

With the Abrin MZTC Multi-Chamber, you can monitor temperature and test time of the equipment:

And, finally, integrated EIS solutions provide thorough insights through galvanostatic testing:

Ready to learn more about Arbin’s solutions for materials research and how they can improve your operations? Visit arbin.com/products/materials-research/ today, call 979-690-2751 or reach out to sales@arbin.com.