TOKYO—Sumitomo Rubber Industries has announced the development of what it describes as the "world's first" technology capable of measuring the structure and chemical state of matter at the nanoscale.
In a joint research study with the International Center for Synchrotron Radiation Innovation Smart at Tohoku University and the Riken research institute, the Japanese manufacturer said it developed "tender x-ray nanoscope technology," which helps it visualize sulfur compounds used in lithium-sulfur batteries.
The study, carried out at Japan's SPring-8 synchrotron radiation facility in Hyogo, provides "greater detail than ever before," said Sumitomo Rubber in a Sept. 5 statement.
The technology produces a "coherent x-ray diffraction image," which is achieved by irradiating sulfur compounds with a coherent tender x-ray beam.
Phase retrieval calculations are then used to generate "x-ray absorption image" and "x-ray phase image."
The process is then repeated at varying x-ray energies, explained SRI.
The visualization of the chemical state of the sulfur compounds is achieved through the combination of around 30 of such images.
"We believe that practical applications of this technology will bring about new improvements in battery performance," said the company.
