A new on-line method for lithium plating detection in lithium-ion batteries

The desire to move towards the rapid charging of lithium-ion batteries has motivated many researchers to understand the underpinning degradation mechanisms as a precursor for the design of novel models and control algorithms to help mitigate their occurrence. It is widely reported that lithium plating is a significant ageing mechanism that occurs when charging the battery at low temperatures, high C-rates and high state of charge (SOC). There are multiple efforts embracing the measurement of different parameters during charging, such as battery voltage and current, that may collectively provide critical information useful for the detection of lithium plating. Much of this research is focussed on the post-processing of such data after completion of charge to infer the onset of lithium plating. This study aims to extend recent work, by proposing a new method of lithium plating detection, based on an estimation of cell impedance. This approach is able to operate in real-time during charging and therefore transferable to the battery management system (BMS). Experimental results highlight that the proposed method is highly sensitive and capable of effectively detecting the onset of lithium plating in real-time, underpinning the design of future optimal charging strategies to minimize lithium plating.