# Inside a lithium-ion cell, from can to crystal (3D renders)

> A graphical abstract made of path-traced 3D renders: a cylindrical lithium-ion cell cut away, its electrode stack in cross-section, and the two crystals that host the lithium, layered LiCoO₂ and graphite. Every render keeps its 3D scene: double-click one to open it in the 3D studio, turn it, restyle it and update it in the figure.

- Page: https://www.labcanvas.com/templates/battery-materials/inside-lithium-ion-cell-can-crystal-3d-renders
- Open in the LabCanvas editor (LabCanvas account): https://www.labcanvas.com/editor.html?template=lithium-ion-cell-3d-from-can-to-crystal
- Updated: 2026-10-14
- Category: Battery materials
- Method: 3D renders
- Starting materials: Graphite on copper foil (negative), LiCoO₂ on aluminium foil (positive), a porous separator and a liquid electrolyte
- Product: A cell in which lithium ions shuttle between two host crystals
- Key result: Theoretical capacities from the formulas: LiC₆ 372 mAh g⁻¹; LiCoO₂ 274 mAh g⁻¹ if all its lithium left
- Figure: 1920 × 1080 px, 34 editable layers

## Steps

1. **The cell**: Electrodes and separator wound into a cylinder (a jelly roll) in a metal can
2. **The electrodes**: Graphite and oxide particle layers on metal foils, with the separator and electrolyte between
3. **The hosts**: Lithium sits between CoO₂ slabs in LiCoO₂ and between graphene layers in graphite (LiC₆)

## Uses

- Graphical abstracts
- Talks and posters
- Teaching how a cell is built

## References

1. Goodenough & Park, “The Li-Ion Rechargeable Battery: A Perspective”, J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2013. https://doi.org/10.1021/ja3091438 (review)
2. Mizushima, Jones, Wiseman & Goodenough, “LixCoO2 (0<x≤1): A new cathode material for batteries of high energy density”, Mater. Res. Bull. 1980. https://doi.org/10.1016/0025-5408(80)90012-4 (primary)
3. Armand & Tarascon, “Building better batteries”, Nature 2008. https://doi.org/10.1038/451652a (review)
4. Peled, “The electrochemical behavior of alkali and alkaline earth metals in nonaqueous battery systems — the solid electrolyte interphase model”, J. Electrochem. Soc. 1979. https://doi.org/10.1149/1.2128859 (further reading)

Credit: After Goodenough & Park, JACS 2013 (doi:10.1021/ja3091438) and Mizushima et al., Mater. Res. Bull. 1980 (doi:10.1016/0025-5408(80)90012-4). Renders path traced in LabCanvas 3D studio; cell and stack schematic, crystals from their structures.

## Questions

**What does the “Inside a lithium-ion cell, from can to crystal (3D renders)” template show?** A graphical abstract made of path-traced 3D renders: a cylindrical lithium-ion cell cut away, its electrode stack in cross-section, and the two crystals that host the lithium, layered LiCoO₂ and graphite. Every render keeps its 3D scene: double-click one to open it in the 3D studio, turn it, restyle it and update it in the figure.

**What are the steps shown in “Inside a lithium-ion cell, from can to crystal (3D renders)”?** 1. The cell: Electrodes and separator wound into a cylinder (a jelly roll) in a metal can. 2. The electrodes: Graphite and oxide particle layers on metal foils, with the separator and electrolyte between. 3. The hosts: Lithium sits between CoO₂ slabs in LiCoO₂ and between graphene layers in graphite (LiC₆).

**What are the starting materials and the product?** Starting materials: Graphite on copper foil (negative), LiCoO₂ on aluminium foil (positive), a porous separator and a liquid electrolyte. Product: A cell in which lithium ions shuttle between two host crystals.

**Which papers is “Inside a lithium-ion cell, from can to crystal (3D renders)” based on?** Goodenough & Park, “The Li-Ion Rechargeable Battery: A Perspective”, J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2013 (doi:10.1021/ja3091438); Mizushima, Jones, Wiseman & Goodenough, “LixCoO2 (0<x≤1): A new cathode material for batteries of high energy density”, Mater. Res. Bull. 1980 (doi:10.1016/0025-5408(80)90012-4); Armand & Tarascon, “Building better batteries”, Nature 2008 (doi:10.1038/451652a); Peled, “The electrochemical behavior of alkali and alkaline earth metals in nonaqueous battery systems — the solid electrolyte interphase model”, J. Electrochem. Soc. 1979 (doi:10.1149/1.2128859).

**Can I edit the “Inside a lithium-ion cell, from can to crystal (3D renders)” template?** Yes. Open it in the LabCanvas editor: all 34 layers are editable. Change the text, colours and layout, then export PNG, TIFF, SVG or PDF.

**Do I need an account to use this template?** Not to view it here. To open and edit it, sign in to LabCanvas or create a free account (the free plan keeps one design of each kind). Downloading the figure is part of LabCanvas Pro (US$19 a month or US$199 a year).