2023-12-17 21:10:00
As we become more and more dependent on electronic devices and electric vehicles, the health and longevity of the batteries that power them have become major concerns. To this end, English mechanical engineers have developed a new method for determining the internal structure and health assessment of batteries, a discovery which might have significant implications for the electronics and automotive industry.
This technique might help identify battery problems much earlier, before they reach the point of no repair. This might help extend their life cycle, reduce e-waste and demand for new batteries that use critical raw materials.
The new method might be used by manufacturers to help them spot battery faults during production – thereby reducing the number of faulty batteries reaching consumers – and be used during servicing to provide a more accurate health assessment of a battery.
A promising step forward for the industry
The researchers of theUniversity of Sheffield developed the technique using a single ultrasonic wave to rebuild a lithium-ion battery cell for the first time. Lithium-ion batteries are used in electronic devices such as mobile phones and laptops, and are also used to power electric vehicles.
Currently, the primary way to accurately assess the internal condition of a lithium-ion battery is to use a x-ray machine, which is costly and inconvenient for businesses, manufacturers and consumers. This means that faults can be missed and are not identified until the battery shows visible damage, such as swelling, which is often when the battery is beyond repair.
Synthetic
Sheffield’s discovery indicates a promising direction towards the development of a new, low-cost but effective system for assessing the health of lithium-ion batteries, although it is still at an early stage and requires further development to be widely accessible to industry.
The technique also opens up the possibility of developing small sensors that might be installed on the battery to provide real-time monitoring of its condition. This might be a significant development for monitoring the health of batteries in electric vehicles, but it might also be developed for use in smaller electronic devices like laptops and mobile phones.
For a better understanding
What is the new method for assessing battery health?
It’s a technique developed by engineers at the University of Sheffield that uses a single ultrasonic wave to rebuild a lithium-ion battery cell.
What are the advantages of this method?
It might help identify battery problems earlier, extend their life cycle, reduce electronic waste and reduce the demand for new batteries.
It might be used by manufacturers to spot battery defects during production and during maintenance to provide a more accurate assessment of a battery’s health.
What are the challenges of this method?
It is still at an early stage and requires further development to be widely accessible to the industry.
What are the future implications of this method?
It opens up the possibility of developing small sensors for real-time monitoring of battery health, which might be significant for electric vehicles and smaller electronic devices.
References
The study, titled “Prediction of the internal structure of a lithium-ion battery using a single ultrasound wave response,” is published in the Journal of Energy Storage. Article access.
Article : “Prediction of the internal structure of a lithium-ion battery using a single ultrasound wave response” – DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.est.2023.108778
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