Tech Briefs

Every year, billions of 18650 lithium-ion battery cells are produced, powering everything from our toothbrushes to electric vehicles. But beneath the surface, a hidden world of quality control issues and dangerous counterfeits puts consumers and manufacturers at risk.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) consistently issues recalls and warnings due to battery overheating and catastrophic failures. While a low per-cell failure rate seems reassuring, the sheer volume of batteries in circulation means these risks compound dramatically.

Lumafield’s in-depth investigation shines a light on this critical issue. We CT-scanned over 1,000 18,650 battery cells from 10 different brands, ranging from reputable OEMs to low-cost and outright counterfeit options.  Our automated analysis focused on key indicators of cell safety and quality, including anode overhang (AOH) and edge alignment, two critical factors that directly impact battery performance and safety.

Download the full Battery Quality Report to discover:

• Detailed findings on battery quality across OEM, rewrap, and low-cost/counterfeit brands.
• An in-depth explanation of critical battery components and their impact on safety.
• Insights into the investigation methodology, including Lumafield’s cutting-edge CT scanning and automated analysis techniques. 
• Recommendations for manufacturers and consumers to mitigate risks in the battery supply chain.

Learn how industrial X-ray CT can identify and help reduce hidden hazards in the lithium-ion battery supply chain.