A. Fabricant, R. Picazo-Frutos, F. Teleanu, G. Rees, R. Kircher, Mengjiang Lin, W. Evans, P. Luc, R. House, et. al
[ https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlelanding/2026/sc/d5sc04419g ]
An international collaboration involving researchers from ELI-NP, GSI, PTB, NYU, the University of Oxford, and other partner institutions has published a new study in Chemical Science demonstrating a non-destructive method for probing battery electrolyte composition through intact battery enclosures.
The study introduces an important advance based on zero- to ultralow-field nuclear magnetic resonance (ZULF NMR), using laser-based quantum sensors-optically pumped magnetometers (OPMs)-as detection elements. Unlike conventional high-field NMR, which is strongly limited by the metallic casing of commercial batteries, this approach enables measurements for the first time through the enclosure and makes it possible to quantify both the amount and composition of the electrolyte, including solvent and lithium salt components.
This result opens a new route toward non-invasive chemical diagnostics of battery systems, with strong potential for battery monitoring, quality control, and future industrial applications. Beyond its scientific novelty, the work also has clear technological transfer potential, already reflected in the submission of a patent application, highlighting the promise of this laser-based NMR platform for next-generation battery monitoring.
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