Incremental capacity analysis (ICA) has proven to be an effective tool for determining the state of health (SOH) of Li-ion cells under laboratory conditions. This paper deals with an outstanding challenge of applying ICA in practice: the evaluation of battery series connections. The study uses experimental aging and characterization data of lithium iron phosphate (LFP) cells down to 53% SOH. The evaluability of battery series connections using ICA is confirmed by analytical and experimental considerations for cells of the same SOH. For cells of different SOH, a method for identifying non-uniform aging states on the modules’ IC curve is presented. The findings enable the classification of battery modules with series and parallel connections based on partial terminal data.

A multipoint electrochemical impedance spectroscopy investigation was performed on sealed lead acid batteries at temperatures of 0 to −40 °C, over 40 to 100% state of charge and at 0 and 50 charge cycles. The results observe a significant increase in impedance precisely along expected boundary conditions of the freezing point depression curve of sulphuric acid. A positive correlation is observed between the high frequency electrical resistance and the extent of freezing. These results motivate for impedance measurements in extreme low temperature environments to estimate the state of charge of a frozen lead acid battery. Post-mortem electrolyte analysis grounded the results to a chemical basis, and details further theoretical insights for battery management in extreme cryospheric environments.

Inconel 600™, an austenitic high nickel alloy, has relatively low corrosion properties and is used extensively for aerospace and nuclear engineering applications. Other applications include exposure of the material to caustic and acidic environments and possible use in prosthetic implants. Electrochemical techniques, which include potentiodynamic polarization and polarization resistance, provide a means to rapidly determine the corrosion rates and the suitability of the alloy in a specific corrosive environment. The results from these two techniques were used to determine the corrosion rates as well as other thermodynamic properties for the alloy exposed to various strong and weak acids, salt and Ringer's solution. The results showed slight differences in the corrosion rates determined by the two electrochemical techniques, with those from the polarization resistance technique being on average larger. The corrosion activation energies determined for the alloy in different solutions were indicative of the corrosion rates with some anomalies in values for results observed in the 10 % acetic acid solution. The microstructural composition of the alloy was also investigated by SEM-EDS and showed peculiar inclusions that can contribute to an acceleration of the corrosion rates. Keywords: Inconel 600, corrosion rates, potentiodynamic polarization, polarization resistance, activation energy.

When asked to review a book on energy systems/batteries that are used in the American military for ‘Crystallography Review’, one could ask what its relevancy could be for a crystallographer or mate...