• • • BATTERIES & CHARGERS • • •


battery warehouses. The labels use passive RFID inlays and have an integrated temperature sensor, components that are all wirelessly powered by RFID readers using compliant radio wave frequencies.


The label is made out of an adhesive, a polyester or polypropylene substrate, an RFID inlay containing a miniature RFID antenna and chip, a temperature sensor and a topcoat that can receive print. These components can vary in size, with a condition that larger labels can provide a longer read range because they can contain a bigger RFID antenna. The RFID labels with integrated temperature sensor can accurately detect 0.5°C temperature changes when applied inside a cardboard box that contains battery cells. For direct application on battery cells, a label variant is available that includes an isolating layer to allow the sending and receiving of radio signals when placed on a metal surface.


Speed and accuracy Every second, or even faster, the solution can collect temperatures from labelled assets. RFID readers, with up to 16 RFID antennas, power all RFID labels in range at customisable intervals, via compliant radio wave strengths and frequencies. Every time, the RFID labels send back temperatures read by their integrated temperature sensor, along with identifying data on the asset they are applied to, including the asset’s storage location.


All data received by the RFID readers can be collected in Brady’s RFID software platform, Radea.io. The software platform can present temperature changes in real time and is able to highlight unstable li-ion batteries in an early stage, thanks to the temperature data collected by the RFID readers and labels.


The speed at which the solution can detect temperature changes, provides sufficient time to isolate unstable li-ion batteries before they can ignite.


Automated triggers


There is no need to constantly monitor a screen in order to intercept irregular temperatures measured in stored batteries. Brady’s software platform enables users to set custom temperature thresholds and temperature differences that can trigger 3rd party devices via standard API. Devices can include an email or sms server that can draw battery temperature and location data from the RFID software to send alerts to stakeholder smartphones, tablets and computers. In addition, racking warning lights can be triggered to provide an immediate danger visual to anyone in the warehouse. Some of the Brady solution’s early adopters use the data to trigger an autonomous vehicle that can collect and isolate the unstable battery well before it ignites or threatens people, products and infrastructure. As a safeguard, the software platform also reports RFID labels, if any, that were not read. These labels and their locations can also be shared with stakeholder devices to initiate verification.


Automated inventories RFID can enable automated inventories for cabinets, containers, locations and entire


electricalengineeringmagazine.co.uk ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING • FEBRUARY 2025 9


warehouses or facilities. Any RFID labelled asset, and any asset that is being labelled with an RFID label, will be automatically detected by an RFID reader in range. This allows the solution to add the asset to an inventory list. Reversibly, all assets that pass via a dedicated RFID reader gate can be subtracted automatically from the inventory. This can be achieved by finetuning a dedicated RFID reader’s scanning area, or by equipping it with several RFID antennas that allow the RFID reader to capture asset movement direction. Automated inventories can most certainly be achieved as well with RFID solutions that do not include the temperature monitoring component. Lithium-ion warehouses can solve both challenges, battery temperature monitoring and automated inventory counts, with a single solution.


Compliance


Many countries require certification of used, produced and imported RFID systems, including RFID labels. Common certifications include ISO, GS1, ARC, ATEX, IECEx, UL, IP, IK and industry-specific standards, in automotive and aerospace sectors for example. Radio frequencies are also regulated to limit


interference between radio applications, including aviation transmissions, satellite and first responder communications. In the European Union, compliant frequencies are governed by ETSI (European Telecommunications Standards Institute), in the United States by the FCC (Federal Communications Commission). ETSI and FCC


standards have been implemented by other countries, at times with modifications. As an international manufacturer of identification solutions, Brady can readily supply its li-ion battery temperature monitoring solution in full compliance, almost anywhere in the world.


Future applications With the European Union’s Digital Product Passport regulation in full development, and the recently established standard DIN DKE SPEC 99100, it is becoming clear that batteries will require a ‘Battery Passport’.


By applying the on-metal variant of Brady’s temperature sensing RFID label on a li-ion battery, a digital battery passport can become accessible directly from any physical battery. This approach can support compliance and safety throughout supply chains, from the manufacturer to the recycling facility. It can enable temperature monitoring with RFID readers at every stage in which the battery is stored in a passive state. It can enable easy access to general information about the battery and its manufacturer, its materials and composition, performance and durability, working conditions and carbon footprint.


Brady also plans to make its patent-pending and automated temperature monitoring solution available in more applications, including vaccine and food cold chain logistics. Almost any non-powered asset, or asset in a passive state, could be efficiently monitored for temperature with the solution.


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