Feature: Batteries


Figure 3: Dukosi’s battery life-cycle, with full lifetime data


market opportunities in additional-life re-sales, fuelling a planet-friendly circular economy.


Increased regulation In 2016, the World Economic Forum launched the Global Battery Alliance (GBA) to establish a sustainable battery value chain by 2030. In initiating its work, the GBA conceived the ‘Battery Passport’ – a digital twin for batteries. On August 17th, 2023, the European


Battery Regulation (Regulation 2023/1542) was approved by the European Council to create harmonised legislation for the sustainability and safety of batteries. T e Battery Passport will help create


a digital database of batteries and their attributes, and track them through their entire life, providing a degree of supply chain assurance, which will promote their re-use. However, the regulation only addresses


the complete battery, rather than the individual cells inside. T is limits re-use opportunities, as once those cells are removed from their fi rst-use BMS, each individual cell’s lifetime usage data, state


24 April 2024 www.electronicsworld.co.uk


of health, materials source and other information is lost. Due to lack of information regarding the


previous use of a cell, it becomes necessary to consider each cell as a potential risk, thereby hindering its re-use, even if a majority of the cells are in good condition. Furthermore, without dismantling the cell to analyse its internal chemistry, determining its viability becomes highly challenging. In addition to real-time monitoring,


the Dukosi cell monitor chip also incorporates fl ash storage, for adding data provenance from the moment the chip is installed. Ideally, this is done during cell manufacturing, thus retaining its lifetime data, including the environment it has experienced from day one, through shipping, storage and use, plus its material and sourcing data and other useful information kept under a unique ID; see Figure 3. T e on-cell lifetime data allows safe


and accurate grading of each cell using a wireless near-fi eld reader mounted on the production line, or via a handheld


scanner. T is not only improves supply- chain confi dence in fi rst use, but also in subsequent re-use, too. T e chip-on- cell will keep recording lifetime data throughout further uses, until the cell is fi nally retired for material recycling.


ONWARD AND UPWARD


Through its extensive in-house R&D, Dukosi has bypassed the start-up phase and is currently in a scale- up stage as it engages with its first partners across many applications. It recently announced its collaboration with Suzhou Hengmei Electron


Technology in China, giving it access to the fast-growing market there.


In anticipation of achieving its final qualifications and mass-production milestones, and with an ambitious roadmap of products on the horizon, Dukosi is highly optimistic that very soon its square blue logo will become increasingly present alongside more established brands.


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