EL-CELL PAT-Cell-Force User manual

© 2023 EL-Cell GmbH
Setup Guide
Release 1.0
PAT-Cell-Force
Electrochemical test cell

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Setup Guide PAT-Cell-Force
The information in this manual has been carefully checked and believed to be accurate;
however, no responsibility is assumed for inaccuracies.
EL-Cell GmbH maintains the right to make changes without further notice to products
described in this manual to improve reliability, function, or design. EL-Cell GmbH does not
assume any liability arising from the use or application of this product.
EL-Cell GmbH
Tempowerkring 8
21079 Hamburg - Germany
phone: [phone]
fax: [phone]
e-mail: [e-mail]
web: el-cell.com

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Content
1Technical data ............................................................................................................... 4
2Safety Precautions......................................................................................................... 4
3Assembly........................................................................................................................ 5
3.1 Cell assembly for use with liquid electrolytes .......................................................................... 5
3.2 Force adjustment and further assembly ..................................................................................... 7
4Disassembly and Cleaning ............................................................................................. 9
5Technical Support........................................................................................................ 10
6Warranty ...................................................................................................................... 10

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1Technical data
Specifications
Diameter
49.5 mm
Height
104 mm
Weight
0.8 kg
Separator diameter
21.6 mm
Electrode diameter
18 mm
Temperature sensor
-20 to 80 °C
Force sensor
up to 1500 Newton
(up to 5.9 MPa at 18 mm
electrode diameter)
Gas pressure sensor
0 to 3 bar abs.
Operational temperature
-20 to 80 °C
2Safety Precautions
Use proper safety precautions when using hazardous electrode materials and electrolytes.
Wear protective glasses and gloves to protect you against electrolytes that may accidentally
spill out during filling and disassembly. Upon cell disassembly, dispose of all materials
properly. Metallic lithium and some insertion compounds may decompose heavily in contact
with water and other solvents and cause a fire.

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3Assembly
Please note: All assembly steps will be carried out in an inert glove box atmosphere. All
components must be dried in a vacuum oven at 80°C (120°C for parts made of PPS) for at
least 12 hours.
3.1 Cell assembly for use with liquid electrolytes
Put the insulation sleeve onto the
worktop with the smaller side
pointing upwards.
Insert the lower electrode into the
sleeve with the active layer facing
downwards.
Attach the lower plunger. The
lower plunger is available in
different gap sizes to account for
the thickness of the lower
electrode and the separator used.

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Align the contact spring of the
sleeve with the horizontal contact
pin inside the cell base. Then
insert the assembly into the cell
base.
Evenly dispense approx. 100 µL of
electrolyte on top of the
separator with a pipette. Note: The
optimum amount of electrolyte
will depend on the thickness and
porosity of the separator and the
electrodes used.
Insert the upper electrode into
the insulation sleeve with the
active layer facing downwards.
Attach the upper plunger.
.

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3.2 Force adjustment and further assembly
Insert the cell assembly into the PAT
Socket of the PAT-Terminal-1.
Attach the lid inset and turn it
clockwise to lock it in place.
Use the provided torque controlled
screw driver to adjust the force
applied to the cell stack. The set force
is shown on the display of the PAT-
Terminal-1.
Please note: The set force may
decrease over time due to plastic
deformation of the materials used.
This is a normal behavior.
Please note: The PAT-Cell-Force
uses a special version of the upper
plunger with a smaller diameter, as
seen in the image.

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Remove the PAT-Cell-Force from the
PAT-Terminal-1 and insert it into the
cell assembly block for final steps.
Insert a new sealing ring to the lid. For
best tightness, use an aluminum seal.
Attach the lid. Use the Screw cap
torque wrench to tighten it until the
set torque is reached.
The PAT-Cell-Force is now fully
assembled and ready for testing.

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4Disassembly and Cleaning
When working with aprotic, moisture-sensitive electrolytes such as LiPF6, it is best to always
leave the cell base and cell lid in the glove box and only expose the PAT core components to
room air for cleaning or disposal. Note that excess electrolyte may leak from the PAT-Core
and cause contamination in the cell base and on the contact pins. For standard electrodes and
standard separators use 100 μl electrolyte.
If the cell base or lid has been in contact with ambient air or if they are being used for the
first time, they must be dried in a vacuum at 80°C for at least 12 hours before use. Stainless
steel plungers can be cleaned with water, acetone, or ethanol. If necessary, persistent stains
can be removed from the plungers with aqueous nitric acid (20%, 2 hours at room
temperature).
Insulating sleeves made of PP are intended for single use. Insulating sleeves made of PEEK or
PPS can be cleaned with water, acetone, or ethanol and are reusable after careful drying
(120°C, vacuum, >12 hours).
Never immerse the cell base in liquid. In particular, avoid contact of the electronic
components on the bottom of the cell base with liquid.
NOTE:
•Protect yourself against chemical hazards. Electrolyte may spill out during cleaning.
Electrode materials and electrolytes may react with ambient atmosphere orsolvents
used for cleaning. Wear appropriate protective equipment, goggles, and gloves.
•Clean all cell parts right after disassembly. Leaving cell parts in contact with the
ambient atmosphere while still being wetted with electrolytes may result in severe
corrosion.

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5Technical Support
EL-Cell GmbH exclusively provides technical support for this product.
EL-Cell GmbH
Tempowerkring 8
21079 Hamburg –Germany
phone: [phone]
fax: [phone]
e-mail: [e-mail]
web: https://el-cell.com
6Warranty
For a period of one year from the date of shipment, EL-Cell GmbH (hereinafter Seller) warrants
the goods to be free from defects in material and workmanship to the original purchaser.
During the warranty period, Seller agrees to repair or replace defective and/or nonconforming
goods or parts without charge for material or labor, or, at the Seller’s option, demand return
of the goods and tender repayment of the price. The buyer’s exclusive remedy is repair or
replacement of defective and nonconforming goods, or, at the Seller’s option, the repayment
of the price.
Seller excludes and disclaims any liability for lost profits, personal injury, interruption of
service, or consequential incidental or special damages arising out of, resulting from, or
relating in any manner to these goods.
This Limited Warranty does not cover defects, damage, or nonconformity resulting from
abuse, misuse, neglect, lack of reasonable care, modification, or the attachment of improper
devices to the goods. This Limited Warranty does not cover expendable items. This warranty is
void when repairs are performed by a non-authorized person or service center. At the Seller’s
option, repairs or replacements will be made on-site or at the factory. If repairs or
replacements are to be made at the factory, the Buyer shall return the goods prepaid and bear
all the risks of loss until delivered to the factory. If Seller returns the goods, they will be
delivered prepaid and Seller will bear all risks of loss until delivery to Buyer. Buyer and Seller
agree that this Limited Warranty shall be governed by and construed by the laws of Germany.
The warranties contained in this agreement are in lieu of all other warranties expressed or
implied, including the warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose.
This Limited Warranty supersedes all prior proposals or representations oral or written and
constitutes the entire understanding regarding the warranties made by Seller to Buyer. This
Limited Warranty may not be expanded or modified except in writing signed by the parties
hereto.