ModuLab XM ECS

ModuLab XM ECS: the Xtreme Measurement electrochemical test system

What is unique about ModuLab XM ECS?

ModuLab XM has modularity at the center of its design. Each system can be configured for electrochemical, materials, and photoelectrochemistry measurements. At the core of each of these is the Frequency Response Analyzer. The accuracy from design to calibration is at the heart of Solartron's success and reputation for impedance measurements.

Fast ADCs (40MHz) allow specialized techniques, such as Harmonic Analysis at high sample rate to be done at all frequencies; unlike sub-sampling techniques based on slower frequencies and common to other designs. Sub-sampling will lead to aliasing at characteristic frequencies.

How does energy research benefit from this XM?

Standard features and available options such as high current boosters on ModuLab open the door to applications that other systems cannot achieve such as ultra-low, micro-ohm impedance cells (latest generation batteries and fuel cells, for example). Additional voltage measurements access simultaneous impedance measurements of the anode and cathode of a single cell; while high polarization voltage and high compliance voltage options use these for measuring across stacks of energy devices.

How is the Frequency Response Analyzer (FRA) used in Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS)?

The FRA works with the potentiostat, electrochemical cell , electrolyte solution to become EIS instrumentation system. In EIS measurements, the signal is an AC sine wave on a DC background that is applied over a range of frequency. EIS data compares the signal-to-response and the result is the impedance magnitude and phase shift. These give rise to the real and imaginary portions of the impedance.

The most common representation of impedance data are the Nyquist Plot sometimes called complex impedance plot. Nyqusit Plot represents the real impedance on the X-axis and the imaginary component of the impedance on the Y-axis.

Different processes are represented as components in an equivalent circuit constructed of a number of circuit elements. This is based on their respective relationship with frequency. The Double Layer Capacitance is represented as a capacitor because the impedance varies inversely with frequency and all imaginary impedance. The Solution Resistance and Charge Transfer Resistance are represented as a resistor because their impedance is independent of frequency and all real impedance. The core building block of most equivalent circuits is the Randles cell, as it has these three key components: Double Layer Capacitance (electrical double layer), Solution Resistance, and Charge Transfer Resistance. Other components representing inductance and diffusion can be added to this to represent an appropriate circuit model for your test cell.

Impedance data aid in determination of State of Health SoH or State of Charge for Li-ion batteries, corrosion resistance or analyte concentration with impedance-based senors. This is the fastest growing technique in both applied and research electrochemistry.

Dedicated system for analysis of PhotoElectrochemistry and related applications.