Implanted potential sensing separator enables smart battery internal state monitor and safety alert

The current battery management system is limited to testing external characteristics, leaving the battery's internal status as a “black box”. Advanced characterization techniques and battery sensing technologies are needed to assess the battery's internal state. However, due to their short lifespan, low sensitivity, invasive nature, and high cost, these technologies face challenges in practical applications and commercialization. Here, we propose a smart battery implanted with a potential sensor for in-situ measurement of anode potential, enabling the recognition of severe side reactions and abnormal Li plating behavior. Specifically, the potential sensing material is directly integrated into the battery separator, which provides a reliable potential reference and serves as a sensing terminal. The porous structure of the separator facilitates lithium-ion transport while simultaneously enabling high-accuracy monitoring with non-destructive implantation. Additionally, the potential sensing separator can detect pre-existing or latent defects in the battery at an early stage, which are difficult to discern from the battery's external characteristics in a timely manner. Furthermore, we have developed a multi-point potential sensor monitoring system that can not only monitor the distribution of anode potential but also pinpoint the location of battery defects.