Water in Batteries: Invisible Risk - Measurable Solutions
Presented by Volta Foundation
Programme
- Trace water matters: ppm-level water can materially affect chemistry, safety, and yield—measure it where it matters, not just react to failures.
- Method + sampling = accuracy: choose methods by sample type and target detection limit (e.g., coulometric KF for sub‑100 ppm liquids; KF oven/headspace for solids), and enforce disciplined, sealed sampling and QA.
- Implementation of operational controls: integrate routine checks, environmental monitoring, validated SOPs, and expert support to turn measurements into reliable process control and fast root-cause resolution.
Small amounts of water—often at the ppm or sub‑ppm level—can decisively impact battery performance, safety, and yield. This presentation equips battery professionals with a clear, practical roadmap to locate, quantify, and control water across the battery value chain: from incoming solvents, salts and powders through slurry/coating, drying, assembly, electrolyte filling, formation and failure analysis. We connect the underlying chemistry (e.g., hydrolysis of lithium salts and HF formation) to real operational consequences (capacity fade, increased impedance, gas evolution, corrosion and yield loss), then translate that science into actionable measurement strategies.
Target audience
Executives, process engineers, lab scientists and QC specialists seeking high‑impact, implementable solutions for moisture control in battery production and R&D
Speakers
Alexandra De Sousa
METTLER TOLEDO Business Development Specialist
Alexandra De Sousa serves as Business Development — Battery & Automation at METTLER TOLEDO and has nine years’ experience supporting laboratory processes across a wide range of industries. Alexandra focuses on the battery sector, working closely with R&D and manufacturing teams to translate technical requirements into reliable analytical strategies and service offerings that reduce risk and improve yield. In the automation domain, Alexandra cultivates partnerships with system integrators, OEMs, and process teams to enable instrument integration, automated workflows, and scalable metrology solutions that meet both research and production demands. Alexandra coordinates a supporting technical team for each instrument group to deliver application expertise, method development, and operational handover. In this webinar, Alexandra will share practical measurement strategies and real world approaches for controlling trace moisture and implementing water management programs across the battery value chain.
Michael Ferraco
METTLER TOLEDO Business Development Manager
Michael Ferraco serves as Business Development and LAB Key Account Manager at METTLER TOLEDO, focusing on the battery, pharmaceutical and autonomous lab sectors. With extensive experience driving strategic growth initiatives and building high-performing collaborative teams, he partners closely with internal cross-functional groups and METTLER TOLEDO’s customers to identify effective solutions that improve precision, reduce risk and enhance process efficiency. Prior to this role, Michael was the President of KRÜSS Scientific Instruments, Inc. for 6 years and held a variety of sales leadership positions. Michael has a passion for developing people personally and professionally and believes that successful organizations are built by good people who feel empowered, supported and challenged.
