US 12,066,379 B2
Sensing apparatus and method of operation thereof
Hatice Munevver Tuncer, Cambridge (GB)
Assigned to CAMBRIDGE BATTERY RESEARCH LIMITED, Cambridge (GB)
Appl. No. 17/641,382
Filed by CAMBRIDGE BATTERY RESEARCH LIMITED, Cambridge (GB)
PCT Filed Sep. 11, 2020, PCT No. PCT/IB2020/058460
§ 371(c)(1), (2) Date Mar. 8, 2022,
PCT Pub. No. WO2021/048807, PCT Pub. Date Mar. 18, 2021.
Claims priority of application No. 1913227 (GB), filed on Sep. 13, 2019.
Prior Publication US 2022/0341845 A1, Oct. 27, 2022
Int. Cl. G01N 21/3581 (2014.01); G01R 31/308 (2006.01); H01M 10/42 (2006.01)
CPC G01N 21/3581 (2013.01) [G01R 31/308 (2013.01); H01M 10/4285 (2013.01)] 16 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A sensing apparatus for determining temporal change in a structure of an electrode of an electrical battery connected to a source of Terahertz electromagnetic radiation, wherein the sensing apparatus comprises:
layers of electrode arranged spatially adjacent thereto to provide a waveguide region including a surface of the layers that changes in structure as a state-of-charge of the electrical battery changes;
a separator between layers of the electrodes, configured to allow for flow of ions therethrough;
current collectors configured to ensure uniform distribution of electric charge in the layers of electrodes; and
a detector configured to receive Terahertz electromagnetic radiation that is reflected and/or transmitted through the waveguide region, and processes the Terahertz electromagnetic radiation that is reflected and/or transmitted to determine temporal changes therein based on decrease in power of the received Terahertz electromagnetic radiation,
wherein the source further comprises a coupling arrangement configured to couple Terahertz electromagnetic radiation from the source into the waveguide region, whereat the Terahertz electromagnetic radiation interacts with one or more features present at a surface of the electrode wherein the source is configured to generate, when in operation, the Terahertz electromagnetic radiation as pulsed radiation, and the detector is configured to determine temporal signatures of the pulsed radiation that is reflected and/or transmitted to determine temporal changes therein that are indicative of one or more dendritic growths occurring at the surface of the electrode.