Polycrystalline Counterparts Research Articles

Single-Crystal Perovskite for Solar Cell Applications.

The advent of organic-inorganic hybrid metal halide perovskites has revolutionized photovoltaics, with polycrystalline thin films reaching over 26% efficiency and single-crystal perovskite solar cells (IC-PSCs) demonstrating ≈24%. However, research on single-crystal perovskites remains limited, leaving a crucial gap in optimizing solar energy conversion. Unlike polycrystalline films, which suffer from high defect densities and instability, single-crystal perovskites offer minimal defects, extended carrier lifetimes, and longer diffusion lengths, making them ideal for high-performance optoelectronics and essential for understanding perovskite material behavior. This review explores the advancements and potential of IC-PSCs, focusing on their superior efficiency, stability, and role in overcoming the limitations of polycrystalline counterparts. It covers device architecture, material composition, preparation methodologies, and recent breakthroughs, emphasizing the importance of further research to propel IC-PSCs toward commercial viability and future dominance in photovoltaic technology.

On the Surface Property–Oxidation Relationship in Refractory High‐Entropy Alloys

In this study, oxidation behavior in as‐cast polycrystalline HfNbTaTi3, HfNbTaTiZr, HfMoTaTiZr, and NbMoTaTiZr refractory high‐entropy alloys (RHEAs), and the amorphous form of NbMoTaTiZr RHEA, is investigated. Herein, the surfaces of samples undergoing static oxidation experiments at 700, 800, and 900 °C using scanning electron microscopy, energy‐dispersive X‐Ray spectroscopy, X‐Ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and X‐Ray diffraction are explored. In the corresponding findings, the presence of three different oxidation behaviors in the studied RHEAs is shown: formation of a non‐protective scale, powderization and pesting of the sample, and a distinct amorphous oxidation behavior compared to its polycrystalline counterpart. Notably, Nb appears to induce a detrimental effect on the oxidation properties of samples due to the high ratio of volume change between the oxide and the metal. In the current findings, it is also evidenced that Mo can cause catastrophic failure in RHEAs that lack a protective oxide layer. Overall, the results constitute a step forward in enhancing the understanding of oxidation behavior in RHEAs and developing novel oxidation‐resistant RHEAs.

Recent Progress of Thin Crystal Engineering for Perovskite Solar Cells.

Metal halide perovskite single crystals hold promise for photovoltaics with high efficiency and stability due to their superior optoelectronic properties and weak bulk ion migration. The past several years have witnessed rapid development of single-crystal perovskite solar cells (PSCs) with efficiency rocketed from 6.5 % to 24.3 %, however, which still lags behind their polycrystalline counterparts. Moreover, the poor device stability under light illumination is contrary to the high ion migration barrier of perovskite single crystals. The key limiting factors should be the low crystalline quality and high surface defect density of solution-grown thin single crystals. Under this circumstance, a review paper summarizing the recent progress and challenges will be instructive for future development of this emerging field. In this manuscript, the crystal engineering used to enhance carrier transport and suppress carrier recombination in vertical single-crystal PSCs will be summarized initially, including crystal growth, component control, surface and interface modification. Subsequently, the application of perovskite single crystals in lateral single-crystal PSCs will be discussed and compared with the conventionally vertical structure. Finally, the challenges and proposed strategies for the development of single-crystal PSCs are provided.

Role of nanostructured surface layers in enhancing pure titanium diffusion bonding above their destabilization temperatures

The benefits of the nanostructured materials are believed to be probably absent if they are used at high temperatures. In this study, enhanced diffusion bonding of pure Ti was investigated by introducing a nanostructured surface layer through the surface mechanical attrition treatment (SMAT) technique. Complete recrystallization and remarkable grain growth have taken place in the original nanostructured surface layer due to the diffusion bonding conditions far beyond the nanostructured Ti destabilization temperatures. However, they still played a significant role in enhancing the Ti/Ti interfacial bonding. The consistency analysis of relative grain boundary energy, relaxation time, and microstrain reveals that although the original nanocrystalline has disappeared, the newly formed grain boundaries (GBs) during recrystallization probably inherit part of non-equilibrium state of the corresponding GBs in the as-SMATed surface layer, where the atomic diffusivity may increase greatly compared to the general relaxed GBs in their coarse-grained polycrystalline counterparts. The presence of these high-energy non-equilibrium GBs retains ultrafast atomic diffusion paths, leading to a diffusion bonding temperature of at least 100 °C lower than the traditional approach. The joint achieved at a low temperature of 750 °C exhibited a shear strength approximately 2 times higher than that prepared using raw substrates.

Ultrafast Response and Broad Detection Range of a Ternary Cation Perovskite Single-Crystal Thin Film Photodetector for Imaging.

FA-MA-Cs ternary cation perovskite exhibits excellent optoelectronic properties and high stabilities against humidity and light soaking and thus has aroused extensive attention in polycrystalline thin film solar cells. Compared with polycrystalline counterparts, FA-MA-Cs ternary cation perovskite single-crystal thin films (SCTFs) have lower defects, better carrier transport capacity, and stability because of lacking grain boundary defects. However, the immature growth technology of SCTFs restricts digging out its optoelectronic potential. Here, we proposed an improved space-confined method to grow large area FA0.9 MA0.05Cs0.05PbI2.7Br0.3 SCTFs using a tunable heating area to control the nucleation and growth process. Its area reaches 64 mm2 with a thickness of 26 μm. The SCTF exhibits high crystallinity, low defect density, long carrier lifetime, and high moisture resistance stability. Besides, a photosensitive chip based on a planar metal-semiconductor-metal photodetector demonstrates linear response to the three primary colors, with a photosensitive range that is 1.5 times that of protocol 3 wide color gamut. Under high-frequency light sources, the on/off ratio reaches 3.9 × 103, and the response time can be as low as 400 ns. Such ultrafast response speed and broad photosensitive range are successfully achieved for imaging applications.

Highly‐Dispersed Single‐Crystalline Ni‐Rich Cathodes with Low Li/O Loss for High‐Power and Long‐Life Li‐Ion Batteries

AbstractHighly‐dispersed single‐crystalline Ni‐rich cathodes with low Li/O loss are the key for high‐power Li‐ion batteries, but it is still a big challenge because an additional 60–110 °C higher synthesis temperature is required in comparison with the polycrystalline counterparts. Herein, a highly‐ordered and monodisperse single‐crystalline LiNi0.83Co0.12Mn0.05O2 (NCM83) cathode with an average size of 3.24 µm is reported by a Sr/Nb synergically controlling the grain surface energy strategy based on the Vegard's slopes of various ions. The solid‐phase lithiation temperature is reduced by ≈80 °C, greatly reducing Li/Ni disorder and oxygen vacancies with rapid Li‐ion diffusion kinetics and high structure stability. The introduced Sr/Nb ions remarkably increase the electron cloud density near the Fermi level, while alleviating the H2‐H3 phase transition with reduced lattice shrinkage. The as‐prepared single‐crystalline NCM83 cathode exhibits obvious increased capacity retention of 60% at 10C (vs. 0.1C) in coin‐type half‐cells and 89% after cycling 1000 times at 0.5C in pouch‐type full‐cells. The work sheds light on the low‐temperature synthesis of monodisperse and uniform single‐crystalline Ni‐rich cathodes for high‐power and long‐life Li‐ion batteries.

Emerging Hybrid Metal Halide Glasses for Sensing and Displays.

Glassy hybrid metal halides have emerged as promising materials in recent years due to their high structural adjustability and low melting points, offering unique merits that overcome the limitations of their crystalline and polycrystalline counterparts as well as other conventional amorphous semiconductors. This review article comprehensively explores the structural characteristics, electronic properties, and chemical coordination of hybrid metal halides, emphasizing their role in the glass transition from the crystalline phase to the amorphous phase. We examine the intrinsic disorder within the amorphous phase that facilitates light transmission and discuss recent advances in device architecture and interface engineering by optimizing the charge transport of glassy hybrid metal halides for high-quality applications. With full theoretical understanding and rational structural design, potential applications in displays, information storage, X-ray imaging, and sensing are highlighted, underscoring the transformative impact of glassy hybrid metal halides in the fields of materials science and information science.

Impact of Lithium Sources on Growth Process and Structural Stability of Single‐Crystalline Li‐rich Layered Cathodes

Single‐crystalline (SC) Li‐rich layered oxides have garnered significant attention due to their inhibited lattice oxygen release and reduced crack formation compared with polycrystalline (PC) counterparts. However, it raises a crucial question regarding the selection of prevailing lithium sources—Li2CO3 and LiOH·H2O—for the solid‐state synthesis of SC cathodes, which critically impacts the technical route and future development of SC materials. Herein, a series of SC Li‐rich layered cathodes were synthesized using these two lithium sources. The SC materials prepared with LiOH·H2O (LRO−H) exhibited larger grain sizes compared with those using Li2CO3 (LRO−C). This can be attributed to the lower phase transition temperature of the precursor to spinel phase, which promotes further SC growth during solid‐state reactions. Furthermore, LRO−H demonstrated excellent electrochemical stability, whereas LRO−C exhibited superior initial capacities. To balance these attributes, a mixed lithium sources system (LRO−M) was proposed, showing superior Li+ diffusion kinetics and suppressed layered−to−spinel transformation, resulting in excellent rate performance and an extended battery lifespan. Altogether, these findings provide critical insights into the impact of lithium sources on the growth process, structural stability, and electrochemical properties of SC Li‐rich layered cathodes, guiding the synthesis and design of next‐generation cathode materials.

Single–crystalline LiNi0.8Co0.1Mn0.1O2 stabilized by F–doping–induced superlattice for 4.8 V lithium–ion batteries

Single–crystalline Ni–rich ternary layered oxides represent the cutting–edge cathode materials for lithium–ion batteries, offering enhanced cycling stability compared to the polycrystalline counterparts by eliminating grain boundaries. However, their structural stability encounters a significant challenge when operated under high voltages (cut–off charging potential ≥ 4.6 V). Excessive extraction of Li+ ions can lead to the localized collapse of transition metal (TM) slabs and accumulation of lattice dislocations, which hinders Li+ diffusion and eventually cause capacity decay. This study demonstrate that the introduction of F dopants triggers an ordered mixing of Li+ and Ni2+ ions to form a superlattice in single–crystalline LiNi0.8Co0.1Mn0.1O2. This unique F–doping–induced superlattice stabilizes the deintercalated structure through Ni2+ (Li layer)–O2––Ni2+ (TM layer) interlayer super–exchange strong interactions, thereby facilitating the reversible H2–H3 phase transformation during cycling. Consequently, when cycled between 2.8–4.8 V at 1C, the F doped single–crystalline LiNi0.8Co0.1Mn0.1O2 exhibits unprecedented cycling stability, retaining 90.3 % of its initial capacity after 200 cycles, while achieving a high discharge capacity of 186.8 mAh/g and an impressive energy density of 706.5 Wh/kg. This work sheds light on the microstructural engineering for Ni–rich layered cathode materials.

Microbial Nanotechnology for Precision Nanobiosynthesis: Innovations, Current Opportunities and Future Perspectivesfor Industrial Sustainability.

A new area of biotechnology is nanotechnology. Nanotechnology is an emerging field that aims to develope various substances with nano-dimensions that have utilization in the various sectors of pharmaceuticals, bio prospecting, human activities and biomedical applications. An essential stage in the development of nanotechnology is the creation of nanoparticles. To increase their biological uses, eco-friendly material synthesis processes are becoming increasingly important. Recent years have shown a lot of interest in nanostructured materials due to their beneficial and unique characteristics compared to their polycrystalline counterparts. The fascinating performance of nanomaterials in electronics, optics, and photonics has generated a lot of interest. An eco-friendly approach of creating nanoparticles has emerged in order to get around the drawbacks of conventional techniques. Today, a wide range of nanoparticles have been created by employing various microbes, and their potential in numerous cutting-edge technological fields have been investigated. These particles have well-defined chemical compositions, sizes, and morphologies. The green production ofnanoparticles mostly uses plants and microbes. Hence, the use of microbial nanotechnology in agriculture and plant science is the main emphasis of this review. The present review highlights the methods of biological synthesis of nanoparticles available with a major focus on microbially synthesized nanoparticles, parameters and biochemistry involved. Further, it takes into account the genetic engineering and synthetic biology involved in microbial nanobiosynthesis to the construction of microbial nanofactories.

Effect of stacking fault energy on hetero-deformation in gradient nanograined Cu-Ni alloys

The stacking fault energy (SFE) effect on nanocrystalline metal deformation mechanisms has been extensively studied from dislocation and grain boundary perspectives. Compared to homogeneous nanocrystalline structures, the gradient nanograined (GNG) structure exhibits varied grain sizes, resulting in different SFE effects across regions during the hetero-deformation process. In this work, molecular dynamics (MD) simulation is conducted on GNG Cu-Ni binary alloys with incremental Ni concentration, to investigate the SFE effect at different deformation stages of the GNG structure. It is revealed that the elastic deformation stage shows a close relationship with alloy intrinsic property (e.g. elastic modulus) from Ni concentration variation, with neglectable SFE effect. Under the hetero-deformation stage, different from the homogeneous polycrystalline counterpart, the effect under high SFE condition is demonstrated from the overall dislocation density decline and the competition between the perfect and partial dislocations in the gradually varied grains across the GNG structure, which finally results in lower strain gradient, geometry necessary dislocation density, and a less effective hetero-deformation process. The active GB sliding and migration are found to offset this dislocation density decline in the sample with the relatively high SFE, which brings in higher GB stress concentration and larger GB free volume of the GNG structure. Besides, the GB relaxation across the GNG structure under the high strain rate tensile loading is also illustrated and discussed. The results further support the essential deformation mechanism underlying heterostructure materials.

Metal Halide Perovskite Single Crystals toward Electroluminescent Applications

AbstractMetal halide perovskite single crystals (MHP SCs) have attracted extensive attention due to their superior properties, such as higher carrier mobility, longer carrier diffusion length, and better stability than their polycrystalline counterparts. In particular, the suppression of ion migration and Auger recombination endows MHP SCs with excellent electroluminescence (EL) properties, thus holding great potential for highly efficient and stable light‐emitting devices. In this review, general overview of MHP crystal structures are begin, and highlight the merits of MHP SCs in terms of outstanding optoelectronic properties and high stability. Then, appropriate growth methods of high‐quality, thickness‐controlled MHP SCs for EL device applications are systematically summarized. Subsequently, recent advancements in developing MHP SC‐based perovskite light‐emitting diodes (PeLEDs) are discussed, and the effective strategies to further enhance the device performance are reviewed. Moreover, the potential application of MHP SCs for electrically pumped lasers is highlighted. Finally, the review is concluded with a detailed account of the current challenges and a perspective on the key approaches and opportunities on the optimization of SC growth, the improvement of device performance and the integration of SC‐based optoelectronic devices.

Understanding dislocation plasticity of single crystalline Ta micropillars under dynamic loading

Recent experimental findings have shown that tantalum single crystals display strong anisotropy during Taylor impact testing in stark contrast to isotropic deformation in polycrystalline counterparts. In this study, a coupled dislocation dynamics and finite element model was developed to simulate the complex stress field under dynamic loading of a Taylor impact test and track the intricate evolution of the dislocation microstructure. Our model allowed us to investigate detailed motion of dislocations and their mutual interactions and the effect of varying simulation parameters, such as sample size, initial dislocation density, crystallographic orientation, and temperature. Simulation results show good agreement with experimental observations and shed light on the mechanical response at small-scale under extreme loading conditions. In addition, resolved shear stress analysis incorporating the effect of shear stress from impact was performed to quantitatively support and provide a means to understand the model predictions of the impact foot shape.

Large area single crystal gold of single nanometer thickness for nanophotonics

Two-dimensional single crystal metals, in which the behavior of highly confined optical modes is intertwined with quantum phenomena, are highly sought after for next-generation technologies. Here, we report large area (>104 μm2), single crystal two-dimensional gold flakes (2DGFs) with thicknesses down to a single nanometer level, employing an atomic-level precision chemical etching approach. The decrease of the thickness down to such scales leads to the quantization of the electronic states, endowing 2DGFs with quantum-confinement-augmented optical nonlinearity, particularly leading to more than two orders of magnitude enhancement in harmonic generation compared with their thick polycrystalline counterparts. The nanometer-scale thickness and single crystal quality makes 2DGFs a promising platform for realizing plasmonic nanostructures with nanoscale optical confinement. This is demonstrated by patterning 2DGFs into nanoribbon arrays, exhibiting strongly confined near infrared plasmonic resonances with high quality factors. The developed 2DGFs provide an emerging platform for nanophotonic research and open up opportunities for applications in ultrathin plasmonic, optoelectronic and quantum devices.

Unique insights into the design of low-strain single-crystalline Ni-rich cathodes with superior cycling stability

Micro-sized single-crystalline Ni-rich cathodes are emerging as prominent candidates owing to their larger compact density and higher safety compared with poly-crystalline counterparts, yet the uneven stress distribution and lattice oxygen loss result in the intragranular crack generation and planar gliding. Herein, taking LiNi0.83Co0.12Mn0.05O2 as an example, an optimal particle size of 3.7 µm is predicted by simulating the stress distributions at various states of charge and their relationship with fracture free-energy, and then, the fitted curves of particle size with calcination temperature and time are further built, which guides the successful synthesis of target-sized particles (m-NCM83) with highly ordered layered structure by a unique high-temperature short-duration pulse lithiation strategy. The m-NCM83 significantly reduces strain energy, Li/O loss, and cationic mixing, thereby inhibiting crack formation, planar gliding, and surface degradation. Accordingly, the m-NCM83 exhibits superior cycling stability with highly structural integrity and dual-doped m-NCM83 further shows excellent 88.1% capacity retention.

Surface-enriched Co engineering promoting electronic conductivity for single-crystalline Ni-based layered oxide cathodes

Single-crystalline layered oxides are at the forefront of the development of high-energy lithium-ion battery (LiB) electrode materials, offering prolonged durability by circumventing the crack-related structural reconstruction and mechanical collapse seen in their polycrystalline counterparts. However, the sluggish carrier transport in large-crystalline particles impedes their rate capability. While most research has prioritized improving ion diffusion, the pivotal role of electron transport in electrochemical kinetics has been relatively overlooked. Herein, we enhance the kinetics of charge transfer and inhibit Mn dissolution from the bulk lattice by modulating the cobalt concentration on the surface of a single-crystalline Ni-based layered oxide cathode, LiNi0.5Co0.2Mn0.3O2. Liquid pouch-type full cells employing surface Co-concentrated cathodes exhibit exceptional high-temperature (55 °C) specific capacity (193.6 mAh g−1 at 0.2C), capacity retention (90.1 % after 2000 cycles at 1 C), and impressive rate performance at 12C. Moreover, by utilizing the varying composition-related kinetics in the composite cathode of sulfide-based all-solid-state batteries (ASSBs), we find that surface-enriched Co modification enhances the electronic percolation within the composite cathode, significantly contributing to the rate performance of ASSBs, beyond the effect of ion diffusion. This research underscores the significance of electronic properties in single-crystalline layered oxides for achieving high-power LiBs and ASSBs.

Mechanical integrity of photovoltaic panels under hailstorms: Mono vs. poly-crystalline comparison

The performance of Photovoltaic (PV) modules heavily relies on their structural strength, manufacturing methods, and materials. Damage induced during their lifecycle leads to degradation, reduced power generation and efficiency. Mechanical stresses, originating from manufacturing, transportation, and operational phases impose significant loads on PV modules. These in-service loads encompass various environmental forces such as wind, snow, dust, hail, rain, and heat. In-service loads encompass static and dynamic forces such as wind, snow, dust, hail, rain, and heat. Among these factors, the mechanical loads from hail impacts play a crucial role in PV module performance and require a comprehensive investigation. This research focuses on evaluating the impact of hail loads on different PV modules, following international standards like ASTM 1038-10 and IEC-61215-2. The developed simulator effectively assesses the reliability of PV modules. The number of busbars within a PV module was identified as a key factor influencing the module's resilience to hail impacts. Notably, mono-crystalline PV modules exhibited better resistance to hail loads compared to their poly-crystalline counterparts. The PV modules experience micro-cracking due to hail impacts, leading to an efficiency reduction of 4.15% in mono-crystalline modules and 12.59% in poly-crystalline modules. Similarly, the generated power output decreased by 3.3% and 12.5%, respectively, in these module types.

Quantifying Electrochemical Degradation in Single-Crystalline LiNi0.8Mn0.1Co0.1O2 –Graphite Pouch Cells through Operando X-Ray and Postmortem Investigations

Layered nickel-rich lithium transition-metal oxides (LiNixMnyCo1−x−yO2; where ≥ 0.8), with single-crystalline morphology, are promising future high-energy-density Li-ion battery cathodes due to their ability to mitigate particle-cracking-induced degradation. This is due to the absence of grain boundaries in these materials, which prevents the build-up of bulk crystallographic strain during electrochemical cycling. Compared to their polycrystalline counterparts, there is a need to study single-crystalline Ni-rich cathodes using x-ray methods in uncompromised machine-manufactured industrylike full cells to understand their bulk degradation mechanisms as a function of different electrochemical cycling protocols. This can help us identify factors to improve their long-term performance. Here, through in-house x-ray studies of pilot-line-built LiNi0.8Mn0.1Co0.1O2–graphite A7 pouch cells, it is shown that their electrochemical-capacity fade under harsh conditions (2.5–4.4 V and 40 °C for 100 cycles at a C/3 rate) primarily stems from the high-voltage reconstruction of the cathode surface from a layered to a cubic (rock-salt) phase that impedes the Li+ kinetics and increases cell impedance. Postmortem electron and x-ray microscopy show that these cathodes can withstand severe anisotropic structural changes and show no cracking when cycled under such conditions. Comparing these results to those from commercial Li-ion cells with surface-modified single-crystalline Ni-rich cathodes, it is identified that cathode surface passivation can mitigate this type of degradation and prolong cycle life. In addition to furthering our understanding of degradation in single-crystalline Ni-rich cathodes, this work also accentuates the need for practically relevant and reproducible fundamental investigations of Li-ion cells and presents a methodology for achieving this. Published by the American Physical Society 2024

Mechanical properties of Al2O3–LaPO4 composites with eutectic microstructure produced by flash sintering

AbstractThe mechanical properties of Al2O3–LaPO4 composites with varying microstructures produced by flash sintering and conventional sintering are evaluated. Specifically, Vickers and Knoop hardness values were measured and calculated for different resultant microstructures, including eutectic microstructures with varying layer thickness, polycrystalline (noneutectic) microstructures, and single‐phase samples of Al2O3, LaPO4, and 8YSZ. The findings indicate that eutectic microstructures exhibited higher hardness values than polycrystalline counterparts on the flash‐sintered sample. However, the hardness values of eutectic microstructures with varying layer thicknesses show no significant or systematic variation. The grain size, indentation size, eutectic colony size, indentation shape (elastic recovery in Knoop indentations), and crack propagation pathways in the indented samples are also discussed. Overall, the results suggest that Al2O3–LaPO4 eutectic composites have higher hardness than their polycrystalline counterparts and have great potential as abradable coatings with high machinability and durability.

Does Anisotropic ‘Lattice’ Collapse Always Lead to Cracking in Ni-Rich Layered Oxide Cathode Particles?

Single-crystalline Ni-rich layered oxides (LiNi x Mn y Co1−x−y O2; x ≥ 0.8) are promising high-energy-density cathodes for future Li-ion batteries as they can withstand cathode particle cracking, which is a significant contributor to electrochemical capacity loss. The absence of grain/particle boundaries substantially mitigates the build-up of bulk structural strain in these materials generated from the anisotropic structural evolution (i.e., lattice collapse) during electrochemical cycling. However, compared to their polycrystalline counterparts, rigorous evaluations of their long-term electrochemical performance and their dependence on electrode structure changes, impedance, and particle cracking, are still necessary to take it towards commercialisation. Operando X-ray diffraction (XRD) and absorption spectroscopy (XAS) are ideal probes of these bulk electrode structure properties and provide a direct temporal correlation between the battery electrochemistry and the non-equilibrium structural changes in the electrodes. However, such studies often use electrochemically compromised cells modified for X-ray transmission that are neither representative of a real-world full-cell architecture nor operable long-term under industrially relevant cycling conditions, thereby compromising the results' practicality. This is especially problematic for technologically mature cathodes like single-crystalline Ni-rich layered oxides, which require greater scrutiny of their long-term degradation modes after hundreds of cycles. In this work, using in-house operando X-ray studies and large-area post-mortem electron tomography of a (TRL-5) pilot-line-built A7 pouch full cells with industry-relevant specifications, we demonstrate how single-crystalline LiNi0.8Mn0.1Co0.1O2 (NMC811) cathodes can withstand the severe anisotropic structural evolution and show no particle cracking even when cycled under harsh conditions of 2.5–4.4 V at 40 °C for 100 cycles. The bulk structural changes in both electrodes as well as the associated electrochemical performance loss are also evaluated. Furthermore, the validity of the in-house pilot line cell results is benchmarked against a commercially sourced Li-ion cell. In addition to furthering our understanding of single-crystalline Ni-rich cathodes, this work emphasises the need for real-world-relevant reproducible fundamental investigations of academic Li-ion cells and presents a methodology for doing so. Figure 1