Development of Long Duration Button Cell Test Stands and Testing Protocols

Abstract

In order to support the accelerated testing of the H2New consortium, long term repeatable cell testing is a necessary step. Cross-lab comparability and long duration tests are needed in order to establish a baseline degradation. The use of long-term testing with existing test stands and techniques that were developed primarily for material screening led to modifications to better suit long-term testing.The stability of sealing of cells and operation of cells with the ability to endure a thermal cycle is a key point of interest in the long duration button cell testing. Cells with the ability to maintain performance unplanned power cycles are critical to the long-term understanding of button cells. System upgrades to improve long term button cell system reliability include the following: back-up power systems, thermal cycle stable glass, current collector attachment improvement, power monitoring, and in-operando cell leakage monitoring. The system modifications to identify and correct the most common causes of long-term button cell test failures are discussed. Discussions and lessons learned from cell test stand development and cell preparation protocols are presented.