Enhancing Lithium Ion Battery Performance through an Innovative Cooling System

What is it about?

Lithium ion batteries are widely used in electric vehicles as they work well and have a long life. However, these batteries can become too hot, which can affect how well they work and how long they last. To address this, various methods have been proposed to keep the batteries at the right temperature. One way is to use a specialized material that absorbs the heat from the battery as it changes from solid to liquid. This is called a phase change material (PCM) based system. In this study, the authors studied how well a lithium ion battery works with a new PCM based internal cooling system. They compared this new system that uses the specialized material to fill the battery's core, with an external system where the material wraps around the battery's outer surface.

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Photo by Ernest Ojeh on Unsplash

Photo by Ernest Ojeh on Unsplash

Why is it important?

To ensure that the battery works well and has a long life, it is important to keep the temperature low and even across the battery. This study shows that the PCM based internal cooling system reduces the temperature and ensures a more even temperature compared to the external system. Interestingly, the melting temperature of the specialized material doesn't affect the maximum battery temperature. But if it melts at a lower temperature, the temperature inside the battery can become more uneven. Additionally, increasing the size of the core with the specialized material can make the battery even cooler, but this comes at the cost of reducing the energy within the battery. Furthermore, the study suggests that reducing the battery's thickness is the best way to make sure the temperature inside it is even. KEY TAKEAWAY: As more people use electric vehicles, this study can help make better cooling systems for batteries. This can improve the performance of electric cars. That, in turn, can make them more popular. This research relates to the following Sustainable Development Goals: • SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy • SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure • SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities • SDG 13: Climate Action • SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production