An apparatus and method for monitoring structural changes of an electrode in a rechargeable battery include an in situ x-ray electrochemicall cell (30) comprising top and bottom cell members (32, 34) including at least one beryllium window element (36) for transmission of diffractometer x-radiation. A rechargeablebattery (43) mounted within the x-ray cell enclosure comprises anelectrolyte/separator element (68) interposed between positive andnegative electrodes (64, 66). A current collector element (70) formedof an electrically-conductive open-mesh grid is disposed between thepositive electrode and the separator to enable ion-conducting contactof the electrode and separator while maintaining electrical continuitybetween the electrode and an external x-ray cell termianal (54). As aresult of this arrangment, the positive electrode need not contact thewindow element to establish an electrical battery circuit, but may besufficiently spaced from the window to avoid electroytic corrosionof the beryllium element. The in situ x-ray electrochemical cell andbattery structure allow for continuous monitoring of the structuralchanges in electrode materials during charge/discharge cycling.
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