Non-destructive operando neutron depth profiling locates, diagnoses, solves structural defects causing premature solid-state EV cell failure

https://techxplore.com/news/2026-07-neutrons-track-lithium-solid-state.html

"X-ray struggles to track lighter elements like lithium because of low electron density... overcome non-destructively mapping real-time lithium ion movement/ structural distribution using deep-penetrating neutrons... sub-nm models revealed lithium ions accumulate unevenly across electrolyte-electrode boundaries during fast-charging cycles, generating ionic resistant electrical imbalances/ spikes along solid electrolyte crystalline grain boundaries... shows how to suppress short-circuiting lithium dendrites"