Fraunhofer Research Institution for Individualized and Cell-Based Medical EngineeringReal-time 3D inspection for safe and sustainable battery cell production
About
In the Battery Attest project, Fraunhofer IMTE is developing powerful reconstruction and evaluation software for a high-speed inline CT system. The aim is to test battery cells in real time during production and recycling in order to improve quality, safety, and sustainability along the entire value chain. The combination of high-performance computers, AI-supported analysis, and precise material identification is opening up a new dimension in industrial computed tomography.
Opportunity
The manufacture of battery cells is complex, sensitive, and cost-intensive. Even the smallest defects such as layer misalignment, delamination, or particle inclusions can significantly impair the performance and safety of the cell. Conventional testing methods are too slow or do not provide the necessary level of detail to reliably detect defects in the ongoing production process. In addition, there is a growing need for methods that enable material-specific pre-sorting for resource-efficient recycling—a crucial factor for the circular economy of the future.
Solution/Product description
In the Battery Certificate project, Fraunhofer IMTE is developing a novel software architecture for high-speed inline CT with sub-2-second reconstruction in dual-energy mode. Region-of-interest methods, circular trajectories, and spectral calibration enable the precise identification of cathode materials. AI methods improve image quality and automatically segment anodes, cathodes, and electrolytes to reliably detect structural defects. An HPC hardware concept ensures 24/7 real-time operation. Together with VisiConsult, the system is being integrated into the CT prototypes, while FFB is providing virtual test specimens and real sample cells for development and validation.
Why Us
Battery Attest combines high-speed CT, AI-supported image analysis, and spectral material characterization in a single system, thereby laying the foundation for automated, material-specific quality testing of battery cells. The combination of software intelligence, hardware performance, and industrial integration enables robust inline inspection that reduces waste, accelerates processes, and supports sustainable battery recycling.