Energy Storage Lab

For access to the energy storage lab or for any general training, please contact the lab leader Dr Jing Wan or their deputy Dr Wing Chung Liu. For training on any of the equipment, please contact the principal user or their deputy for the listed equipment.

All equipment in the energy storage lab needs to be booked before use. The booking system can be found here.

Battery Cyclers


Principal User: Dr Jing Wan

Deputy: Dr Wing Chung Liu

The LAND CT2001A is a multi-channel battery testing system designed for electrochemical performance evaluation of rechargeable batteries and other energy-storage devices. It supports galvanostatic charge–discharge testing, long-term cycling, rate capability measurements, Coulombic efficiency analysis and capacity retention evaluation. Each channel can be controlled independently, enabling simultaneous and continuous testing of multiple cells. It is suitable for lithium-ion batteries, solid-state batteries and other emerging electrochemical energy-storage systems.

  

Argon Glovebox

Principal User: Dr Jing Wan

Deputy: Dr Wing Chung Liu

The MBRAUN UNIlab Plus glovebox workstation has been designed to meet the specification of various applications. Compared to the LABstar workstation the UNIlab Plus provides you and your research team with added features including the UNIlab gas purification system with SP/DP configuration. A PLC-M. Braun controller* is also provided as a standard feature. Other built-in features of the UNIlab Plus Workstation include stand, integrated high vacuum feedthroughs and a stainless steel encapsulated blower.

  • Stainless steel design with polycarbonate window
  • Closed loop recirculation
  • DN 40 KF ports and electrical ports
  • Large antechamber with sliding tray
  • UNIlab inert gas purification system
  • PLC-M. Braun controller
  • Touch screen monitor
  • Automatic box pressure control with foot switch
  • Stainless steel piping
  • Vacuum pump
  • High efficiency box filters HEPA H13
  • Analogue box pressure sensor
  • Adjustable shelving
  • Castors for easy mobility
  • Levelling feet
  • Stand
  • Light hood with anti-reflection film

Sartorius Micro Balance

Principal User: Dr Jing Wan

Deputy: Dr Wing Chung Liu

  • Wherever maximum accuracy is required, even for minimal sample quantities
  • Serial weighing that benefits from very fast response times and a fully automatic draft shield
  • µg-accurate weighing of toxic, hygroscopic or heavily oxidizing samples can be done in laminar flow boxes, glove boxes or under fume hoods
  • Areas with strict demands on cleanliness
  • Differential weighing (ashing or incineration, drying, measurement of coatings, checking spillage quantities, etc.)
  • Mass determination that allows for air buoyancy
  • Air density determination for metrological weight analyses
  • Complete calibration, adjustment and documentation routines for monitoring test and measuring equipment when integrated into a quality system 

VSP-300 Potentiostat

Principal User: Dr Jing Wan

Deputy: Dr Wing Chung Liu

The VSP-300 multichannel potentiostat/galvanostat offering six slots to set from one to six channel boards. Each channel board can accommodate an ultra low current cable and can be  associated with one or several booster kits. Two kinds of booster kits are available: ±4 A / 14 V and ±1 A / 48 V. Up to five boosters of 4A can be plugged in one VSP-300 chassis. They can be  parallelised to reach up to 20 A. Each channel board can be equipped with a linear scan generator. Not only a  multichannel system, this instrument can be controlled independently by several  users thanks to the LAN connection.

Gas Sorption Analyzer (BET instrument)

Principal User: Dr Jing Wan

Deputy: Dr Wing Chun Liu

Simultaneous surface area and pore size analysis of up to four samples with NOVA 4200 for dramatic increase in productivity. Degas up to four samples while pore size and surface area analysis is in progress for maximum throughput. 

Automatic surface area and pore size analysis, computation, display and printing of results. Wide variety of sample cells to accommodate any sample.  Compact, benchtop design to conserve valuable lab space.  Protective doors for safety. 

Disc Cutter - Heavy Duty

Principal User: Dr Jing Wan

Deputy: Dr Wing Chung Liu

The MTI Corporation disc cutter is used to cut electrodes, metal foils, separators and other sheet materials into circular discs with consistent dimensions. It enables rapid and reproducible preparation of electrodes and separators for coin cells and other laboratory-scale electrochemical cells. Standardised sample dimensions help improve consistency during cell assembly and reduce experimental variations caused by differences in electrode area, thereby enhancing the reliability and comparability of subsequent electrochemical measurements.

 

Analytical Balance

Principal User: Dr Jing Wan

Deputy: Dr Wing Chung Liu

The Fisher Scientific Analytical Series balance is a high-precision weighing instrument used for accurate measurement of active materials, electrolytes, conductive additives and other experimental samples. It provides the precision required for battery material preparation, formulation control and quantitative sample analysis. The instrument is particularly useful for determining electrode mass loading, controlling material ratios, and ensuring reliable electrochemical measurements and data analysis.

 

When in the energy storage lab, please follow the local rules, downloadable here.

Photos by Samuel Curtis Photography