From small batteries to big claims

Abstract

A frequently undervalued aspect of lithium-ion battery performance reporting is the specification of the format and area of the tested cells. However, these parameters provide crucial insights into the quality of the electrodes used for cell assembly and the reliability of the data obtained from the investigated systems. Here we focus on the aspects of process standardization and industry collaboration necessary for translating nanoscale electrochemical processes to Ah-scale cells. We examine the role of cell area and format in promoting comparability and standardization in battery research studies with technology readiness levels of 4 or higher. In addition, we discuss the limitations, challenges and expectations associated with measuring and evaluating battery performance exclusively in small cell formats.