Characterization of in-situ material properties of pouch lithium-ion batteries in tension from three-point bending tests

•A novel method developed for characterization of in-situ properties of Li-ion cells.•A universal high fidelity anisotropic material model developed for battery cells.•First homogenized model predictive of deformation in all major load scenarios.•Precise prediction of force versus displacement under three-point bending.•Accurate simulation of buckling mechanism, critical force, wavelength, and folds.