Case Example: Advancing Battery Research with SH Scientific Vacuum Muffle Furnace

The Client Challenge

A university energy research center was developing solid state lithium batteries. Their tube furnaces provided a deep vacuum but could only handle coin cell samples. As they prepared to scale toward pouch cell prototypes, they needed a larger chamber that could maintain the same stable high vacuum conditions. Moisture or oxygen intrusion during electrode drying or solid electrolyte sintering would cause poor cycling stability and wasted material.

The SH Scientific Solution

The lab adopted the SH FU 31MGV large capacity vacuum muffle furnace (315 x 315 x 315 mm chamber), paired with the SH HV40T turbomolecular pump system. The 31 liter chamber provided the necessary volume for larger electrodes and stacked assemblies, while the turbo pump consistently reached the 10−5 Torr range even with a porous ceramic liner.

How It Was Applied

• Electrode Drying: The lab dried full size cathode sheets under vacuum, eliminating residual solvent and moisture more effectively than hot air ovens.
• Solid Electrolyte Processing: High vacuum sintering of sulfide based electrolytes prevented oxidation, which had previously caused unstable cycling.
• Batch Testing: The team could prepare multiple pouch cell assemblies under identical vacuum conditions, improving the statistical reliability of their results.

Results for the Client

• Improved Material Stability: Electrodes and electrolytes retained their designed chemistry, reducing performance variation between cells.
• Faster Research Cycles: Instead of running many small trials, the lab processed larger batches in a single run, accelerating development timelines.
• Scalable Pathway: The transition from the lab scale to pilot scale production became smoother, giving the client more confidence when approaching industry partners.

The Client’s Perspective

According to the research team lead:

“With SH Scientific’s vacuum muffle furnace and turbo pump system, we can now test batteries at a scale that reflects real world applications while still maintaining the controlled atmosphere required for cutting edge materials. This has shortened our development time and reduced wasted effort.”

What This Means for Your Research

By combining large volume capacity with stable high vacuum performance, SH Scientific systems enable clients to scale their research without compromising process integrity. Whether in energy storage, metallurgy, or ceramics, this solution bridges the gap between early stage trials and practical, real world innovation.