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Batteries have to be continually monitored and controlled. Impedance based measurement can provide a valuable diagnostic tool embedded within the battery management system.

Electrochemical techniques are very helpful for evaluation of batteries and cells during charge and discharge, and in service, since the nature of chemical and electrochemical processes occurring in these devices can be determined. In comparison with electrochemical techniques, 3D’s technology has some significant advantages offering information such as:

• Analysis of state-of-charge
• Early identification of possible cell failure
• Early identification of cell aging
• Study of reaction mechanisms
• Change of active surface during operation
• Separator evaluation
• Passivating film behaviour
• Identification of possible electrode corrosion processes

As a result Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) is now widely applied in the study of batteries and fuel cells in the laboratory. However, there is major scope for the use of modern, fast, EIS measurements in quality control as well as in cell monitoring as part of the battery management system. The market is moving to higher performance batteries, lithium batteries in particular. These now dominate the high value consumer electronics sector with production reaching 2 billion in 2006 and growing. This is a $10 billion industry annually. Storing more energy than traditional batteries is the key to their success. However, manufacturing such high energy density batteries requires much stricter quality control than before. EIS techniques have the potential to give much improved quality control. Lithium batteries are already used in vehicles (hybrid and electric) with around 200 cells per battery so safety is the most important issue.