New in the X-Cell: Accurate and Fast Temperature Measurement for Electrolysis Experiments

Accurate temperature control is essential for high-quality electrochemical testing — and it’s now built into the latest generation of the X-Cell.

With the April 2025 launch, we introduced an upgraded solution for temperature monitoring that provides precise, fast, and reliable readings directly at the electrochemical interface. This new feature enhances the reproducibility of experiments, particularly under dynamic or high-temperature conditions.

How It Works: Sensor Integration in the Flow Body

Each PEEK flow body in the X-Cell includes a dedicated thermometer holder made from aluminum, located approximately 55 mm from the top of the cell. These holders are in direct contact with the metal current collectors, ensuring excellent thermal coupling.

This setup offers two major advantages:

• Fast response time – Temperature changes are detected quickly, with minimal delay.
• High measurement accuracy – The thermal contact with the current collector ensures that the measured temperature reflects actual conditions at the electrode interface.

To improve the thermal connection even further, users can apply a thin layer of thermal grease to the thermometer tip or inside the aluminum holder.

Thermometer Compatibility

The aluminum holder includes holes sized for 3 mm, 4 mm, and 1/8” thermometers and thermocouples, making it compatible with most lab instruments.

⚠ Electrical Safety Warning – Isolation is Critical

Since the aluminum thermometer holder is in direct metallic contact with the current collector, it will share the same electrical potential as the bipolar plate during operation.

For this reason, it is critical to ensure electrical isolation between the thermometer housing and the measurement electronics. Here’s how:

• Most standard thermometers with metal housings are already electrically isolated internally — but this should always be confirmed by checking with a multimeter.
• Bare or unprotected thermometers are not electrically isolated and must be insulated manually (e.g., using shrink tubing, electrical tape, or similar materials).

This precaution ensures that the thermometer does not interfere with the electrochemical system or become damaged by stray voltage.

A New Level of Temperature Control

When combined with our flow-based temperature control system, the X-Cell now offers a complete solution for accurate temperature regulation and monitoring during electrolysis experiments.

This is especially valuable in studies involving temperature-sensitive catalysts, high-current operation, or long-duration testing — where even minor temperature deviations can impact performance and data quality.

The Graph below shows an experiement using our heating unit. As you can see the temperature measured inside the cell, follows closely the temperature of the electrolyte bottle, indicating a very accurate reading of the temperature.

Want to Learn More?

Visit the X-Cell product page for technical specifications, setup guides, and compatible accessories.

Or contact our team to find out how the X-Cell platform can improve your electrochemical testing workflows.