Feature: Power


[Image: Kumpan Electric for Unsplash]


Tackling thermal problems in EV batteries with silica aerogel By IDTechEx research staff


T


he lithium-ion battery market is booming, primarily driven by the advance of electric vehicles (EVs). Design-wise, however, there are many of their parameters to consider, including their cell chemistry and format, price, supply chain, and – one rather essential piece of


the puzzle – their thermal management and fire safety. To date there has been a distinct lack of consolidation in their pack design and, when coupled with an unknown regulatory


32 November 2021 www.electronicsworld.co.uk


outlook, charging expectations, price considerations and rapidly-developing battery technologies, it is unlikely for this to settle soon. One thing is certain however, and that is that their longevity and safety will remain critical.


Cooling batteries There are four main ways to cool current lithium-ion batteries: air, liquid, refrigerant and immersion, each with own distinct strengths and weaknesses. IDTechEx analysis shows an increasing trend toward active liquid cooling. A further key consideration is what goes in between the


battery cells and modules to not only facilitate heat transfer but also impact their structure, energy absorption, space filling for corrosion considerations, and more. Then, there is the question of what happens when a cell


enters thermal “runaway”, with further consideration of containing it at the cell, module or pack level. Per-mile-driven EVs are currently safer than their ICE counterparts, but that doesn’t mean fires don’t occur; costly recalls have been forced upon well-known OEMs, and damaging headlines are regularly seen. This is where silica aerogel blankets and sheets enter


the picture, with their superb thermal insulation and fire- retardant properties.


Silica aerogel Despite its space-tech reputation, silica aerogel is not a new discovery – in fact, it dates back almost 100 years. In that time there have been significant technical developments and applications, but its commercial journey only really gained


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