Internal short circuits in lithium-ion batteries; origins, detection, and experimental reproduction: A review

Internal short circuits constitute a significant risk to the safety and performance of lithium-ion batteries (LiBs). Internal short circuits are among the most problematic failure mechanisms in LiBs because of their ability to cause thermal runaway and catastrophic failure and inherent difficulty of detection. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the types of internal short circuits, their origins, and the experimental methods used to reproduce them. Firstly, the definition and classification of internal short circuits, as well as their associated consequences from minor performance loss to thermal runaway, are described. Secondly, the root causes of internal short circuits are investigated, including a thorough examination of each manufacturing stage where defects can appear, focusing on preventive measures. Finally, the review details experimental approaches to reproduce internal short circuits mentioning their respective advantages and drawbacks with a focus on mechanical internal short circuit reproduction devices, such as nail/needle penetration techniques. These techniques are the easiest to implement but have an important number of variable parameters that can influence the test outcome. • A review on internal short circuits (ISC) in Li-ion Batteries is provided. • Types, origins, and experimental methods to reproduce ISC are summarized. • Lithium Plating means of detection are summarized. • The challenges to experimentally reproduce internal short circuits are discussed.