Ultrasound Scanning of Lithium-Ion Cells for Lithium Plating Detection

The contract requires high-resolution ultrasound imaging of 38 lithium-ion 18650 cells to detect and monitor lithium plating at defect sites during electrochemical cycling. Scans must be performed every 100 cycles and additionally during LEO profile testing to capture plating behavior under mission-relevant conditions. The work is focused on identifying early-stage lithium plating, a critical degradation mechanism that compromises cell safety and longevity, particularly in aerospace applications. The imaging must achieve sufficient resolution to resolve plating at microscopic defect locations and provide quantitative data to correlate with performance metrics across the cycling process. This subcontract is issued by the NASA Shared Services Center on behalf of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, with performance taking place in Houston, Texas, 77058. The solicitation was posted on April 28, 2026, with a response deadline of May 1, 2026, indicating a tight turnaround for proposals. The NAICS code 541380 classifies the work under Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services, reflecting the specialized nature of the ultrasound diagnostics and cell monitoring required. The absence of set-aside designations suggests openness to all qualified entities, and the focus on aerospace-grade battery integrity signals this effort's importance to NASA’s mission-critical power systems.