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        "definition": "Taking X-ray images of an object from hundreds of angles and reconstructing them into a 3D volume, without opening it. On whole cells it reveals jelly-roll deformation, electrode overhang, weld defects and foreign particles; at higher resolution it maps electrode porosity, and fast synchrotron CT has filmed thermal runaway as it happens.",
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        "definition": "Measuring a cell inside its working environment rather than after taking it apart (ex situ): in situ means within the cell or its surroundings, operando means while it is actually charging or discharging. Operando methods catch transient states, such as phases or plated lithium that vanish during rest or disassembly.",
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        "mentions": [
          "dismantling"
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      "id": "term:lithium-plating",
      "type": "Term",
      "label": "Lithium plating",
      "properties": {
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        "name": "Lithium plating",
        "section": "topic-aging",
        "definition": "Lithium metal depositing on the negative-electrode surface instead of intercalating into it. It is promoted by charging at low temperature or high current.",
        "related": [
          "dendrite",
          "fast-charging",
          "intercalation",
          "np-ratio",
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          "electrodeposition"
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        "mentions": []
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      "id": "term:phase-transition",
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      "label": "Phase transition",
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        "id": "phase-transition",
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        "section": "topic-electrochemistry",
        "definition": "A change of crystal structure as lithium content varies, which fixes the potential while two phases coexist. Graphite fills in stages, LFP switches between two phases across almost its whole range, and these transitions make the peaks that aging diagnostics read.",
        "related": [
          "voltage-plateau",
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      "id": "term:cathode",
      "type": "Term",
      "label": "Cathode",
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        "id": "cathode",
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        "section": "topic-components",
        "definition": "The electrode where reduction happens: the positive electrode on discharge, the negative one on charge. In industry usage, “cathode” means the positive electrode and its material, whatever the cell is doing.",
        "related": [
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        "example": {
          "title": "Check the reaction",
          "text": "During discharge, the positive electrode is the cathode because reduction occurs there. Charging moves reduction to the negative electrode."
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        "url": "https://lemonergy.com/learn/glossary/cathode/",
        "mentions": [
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      "id": "term:graphite",
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      "label": "Graphite",
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        "id": "graphite",
        "name": "Graphite",
        "section": "topic-components",
        "definition": "Layered carbon, the negative active material of nearly all lithium-ion cells. Lithium intercalates between its layers up to LiC₆, a theoretical 372 mAh/g, at a potential about 0.1 V above lithium metal.",
        "related": [
          "anode-active-material",
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        "lesson": "fundamentals/cell-anatomy/#components",
        "example": {
          "title": "Compare matching mass bases",
          "text": "A graphite value per gram of active material cannot be directly compared with a value including binder, additive and foil."
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        "url": "https://lemonergy.com/learn/glossary/graphite/",
        "mentions": [
          "milliampere-hour",
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      "id": "term:electrolyte",
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        "id": "electrolyte",
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        "definition": "The ion-conducting medium between the electrodes. In a liquid-electrolyte cell it fills the pores of both electrodes and the separator, so it is not a separate structural layer.",
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          "title": "Ions and electrons",
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        "mentions": [
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    {
      "id": "term:electrolyte-filling",
      "type": "Term",
      "label": "Electrolyte filling",
      "properties": {
        "id": "electrolyte-filling",
        "name": "Electrolyte filling",
        "section": "topic-manufacturing",
        "definition": "Injecting a measured volume of electrolyte into the sealed-but-for-one-opening cell, usually under vacuum followed by pressure so the liquid is pulled into the pores. The cell then rests for wetting before formation.",
        "related": [
          "wetting",
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        "mentions": [
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    {
      "id": "reference:xiang-characterization",
      "type": "Reference",
      "label": "Advanced characterization techniques for solid state lithium battery research",
      "properties": {
        "title": "Advanced characterization techniques for solid state lithium battery research",
        "publisher": "Materials Today",
        "url": "https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mattod.2020.01.018",
        "type": "Review article",
        "scope": "X-ray, solid-state NMR and neutron methods in solid-state battery research.",
        "year": 2020,
        "authors": [
          "Yuxuan Xiang",
          "Xia Li",
          "Yongqiang Cheng",
          "Xueliang Sun",
          "Yong Yang"
        ],
        "accessed": "2026-10-27"
      }
    }
  ]
}