ELECTRONICS
BATTERY SAFETY
A new sensor that can
‘sniff out’ the early signs of battery failure presents a comprehensive solution to avoiding potential fi re hazards
W
ith the battery at the heart of any electric vehicle (EV), ensuring its safety and
health is paramount. Yet, even with today’s most sophisticated Battery Management Systems (BMS), which monitor cells to detect potential issues of thermal events, they have their limitations. “A single faulty cell within a battery
pack can escalate into a major safety hazard if left undetected,” explains Joe Holdsworth, founder and CEO of Metis Engineering. “Typical lithium-ion battery management systems in electric cars or energy storage systems primarily rely on a BMS monitoring subtle voltage fl uctuations and cell temperature to detect potential issues. However, the
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issue with using both these methods is that if you have many cells in a parallel arrangement, voltage
fl uctuations may be masked by other cells, thereby hiding a faulty cell.” Metis Engineering was established by Holdsworth in 2016, an aerospace engineering expert who has worked on projects ranging from unmanned nuclear submarines to the Bloodhound Land Speed Record 1,000mph jet and rocket powered car. The company specialises in battery
sensor technology and developed an innovative solution called Cell Guard, aimed at enhancing battery safety and maintenance.
EARLY DETECTION Holdsworth reveals that it may surprise many that not all cells in
Top: Battery packs can be vulnerable to thermal events Above: Cell Guard is designed to enhance battery safety and maintenance
EV battery packs have temperature sensors, leaving a portion of the battery pack vulnerable to thermal events. “Most Battery Management Systems
won’t look at all the temperatures of the cells. At best, 50% of them will have a temperature sensor, so in most cases over half the cells in a pack are not having their temperature
REVOLUTIONISING
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