DigiCell with full force at ESC Meeting

The 248th meeting of the Electrochemical Society (ESC) took place on 12-16 October 2025 in Chicago, IL, US. DigiCell participated with three contributions from three of its partners.

“Understanding the Manufacturing Processability of Hard Carbon Electrodes to Optimize the Electrochemical Performance of Na-ion Battery Cells”
This contribution was provided by Hari Raj from Université de Picardie Jules Verne. He presented a systematic study on how solid content, mass loading, and calendering degree influence the processability of commercial hard-carbon (HC) electrodes for sodium-ion batteries, and how these factors ultimately affect electrochemical performance. The presentation concluded with a plan to use our experimental database to develop a digital manufacturing model.

“Unveiling the Unexpected: Electrolytes and Interfaces in Potassium Batteries”
Sabrina Trano from Politecnico di Torino participated with a talk focusing on the dynamic and evolving nature of the solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) in potassium-based batteries, a system where interfacial stability remains one of the main challenges. Through a collaborative effort with JKU, cross-sectional and surface analyses obtained by combined SEM and FIB imaging revealed unprecedented details about the morphology, thickness, and heterogeneity of the SEI formed on potassium metal. These results provided valuable insight into the continuous evolution of interfacial layers in KIBs, highlighting the complexity of the reactions occurring at the electrolyte–electrode boundary and the need for specifically designed components.

“Exploring Energy Materials and Catalysis at the Nanoscale by Electrochemical Scanning Microwave Microscopy”
Last but not least, Georg Gramse from Johannes Kepler University Linz gave a keynote about their microscopy work on energy materials and how they integrate this with finite element modelling and large-scale impedance measurements.

The interdisciplinary ESC meeting brought together scientists, engineers and researchers from academia, industry and government laboratories in the field of electrochemical and solid state science and technology. The conference offered a variety of formats to share results and exchange on the latest scientific and technical developments in diverse interdisciplinary areas.

Georg Gramse (JKU) with Hari Raj and Alejandro Franco from UPJV

Hari Raj

Hari Raj presenting

Sabrina Trano from POLITO presenting