X-Ray Metallic Dust Mapping for Faster Battery Contamination Analysis

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for detecting and analyzing metallic dust in secondary battery manufacturing facilities are inefficient, time-consuming, and inaccurate, lacking a standardized approach for quantifying and qualifying metal dusts, which can lead to performance deterioration and safety issues.

Innovation Solution

A metallic dust analysis system and method utilizing X-ray transmission imaging to selectively detect and quantify metallic dust within a predetermined size range, generating mapping image data and component analysis data, with automated processing and identification codes for efficient data management.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If conventional methods (tape capture + SEM/XRF analysis) are used to detect and analyze metallic dust, then detection capability is provided, but the process is very time-consuming and requires manual operation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemetallic dust detection accuracyVSAvoidanalysis time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical operations (tape capture, manual SEM/XRF analysis) with an automated optical imaging system using a microscope and image processing algorithms. This substitution enables rapid automated detection and analysis of metallic dust particles, reducing analysis time from hours/days to minutes while maintaining detection accuracy through systematic image processing and particle identification algorithms

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables self-service through automated image processing where the microscope system automatically captures images, processes them through algorithms to identify metallic dust particles, and generates analysis results without requiring continuous manual intervention. The automated processing includes particle detection, classification, and measurement functions that operate independently once the sample is prepared

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If conventional analysis methods are used, then metallic dust can be detected, but the process is complex and requires multiple steps including tape capture and microscope analysis

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemetallic dust detection reliabilityVSAvoiddetection process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple separate operations (sample capture, mounting, imaging, analysis) into a unified automated optical imaging system. By combining these functions into a single integrated system with automated image processing, the patent reduces procedural complexity while maintaining reliable detection through systematic processing of the entire analysis workflow

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Measurement precision

If conventional methods are used to analyze all dust types, then comprehensive dust analysis is achieved, but the process cannot selectively identify and quantify only metallic dust efficiently

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemetallic dust quantification accuracyVSAvoidanalysis efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by using image processing algorithms with specific parameters optimized for detecting metallic dust characteristics (reflectivity, shape, size). The system selectively identifies metallic particles based on their unique optical properties in the captured images, enabling precise quantification of metallic dust while filtering out non-metallic particles, thereby improving both accuracy and efficiency

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enables rapid and accurate detection and analysis of metallic dust distribution and composition, facilitating timely identification of defects and improving manufacturing quality by automating the detection process.

Implementation Method 1

a dust analysis part configured to generate X-ray transmission images of each specimen and reference specimen

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectX-ray transmission: X-Ray

Data Source

PatentEP4726376A1Metallic foreign material analysis system and metallic foreign material analysis method
Publication Date: 2026.04.15 LG ENERGY SOLUTION LTD
  • EP4726376A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4726376A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4726376A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Disclosed herein relates to a metallic dust analysis system according to exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure including a dust analysis part, wherein the dust analysis part is configured to generate X-ray transmission images of each specimen and reference specimen, process the X-ray transmission images of the specimens to generate mapping image data of the specimens in which metal dusts having a diameter within a predetermined range are selectively displayed, and generate component analysis data for each of the metal dusts identified in the mapping image data.