Cambridge EnerTech’s
Battery Engineering
Building Better Batteries
13-14 January 2020
Battery engineers work to create high-energy, cost-effective, and reliable battery cells and packs that fully utilize the battery’s chemistry. To meet these standards, engineers must consider battery materials, cell engineering, mechanical, electrical,
and thermal design and the integration of packs, as well as output, safety, and durability of the key designs. The Battery Engineering Symposium will bring together engineering representatives from top OEM companies, the battery supply chain, and
top academic institutions to discuss the recent advancements in battery technology. It will encompass both cell and pack engineering, along with their safety concerns and how advancements in these areas are not only building better batteries, but
safer and more robust ones.
Final Agenda
Monday, 13 January
8:00 Symposium Registration & Morning Coffee
Terrassen - Saal C
9:30 NEW: Chairperson’s Opening Remarks
Alastair Hales, MEng, PhD, Research Associate, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Imperial College London
9:35 Safety Implications of Emissions from Li-Ion Batteries
Natalia Lebedeva, PhD, Scientific Project Officer, Joint Research Center of the European Commission
Emissions of gases, liquids, and solids from Li-ion batteries under various conditions, including battery fire, are outlined. Potential implications on safety of electric vehicles and road infrastructure are discussed.
9:55 Thermal Runaway Initiation and Propagation in Li-Ion Batteries
Andreas Pfrang, PhD, Scientific Officer, Joint Research Centre, Directorate for Energy, Transport and Climate, European Commission
Finding a thermal runaway initiation method for propagation testing that is representative for a specific failure scenario can be challenging. In this presentation, initiation methods are compared, also based on experiments, and different options for
thermal propagation testing are discussed.
10:15 Initialization of Thermal Runaway in Lithium-Ion Batteries and Measures to Prevent Thermal Propagation
Olaf Böse, PhD, Deputy Head of Department, Battery Test Center, ZSW
Different methods are proposed for the initialization of the thermal runaway (TR) in a Li-ion cell, such as nail penetration, heat injection, overcharge, and short circuit. The TR might spread by thermal propagation (TP) to neighbouring cells in Li-ion-battery-modules
and -packs and might evoke hazardous situations if the TP is not confined.
10:35 Networking Coffee Break
11:05 How Calorimeters and Heat Flux Sensors Improve Thermal Management and Safety of Cells
Carlos Ziebert, Head of the Calorimeter Center, Thermophysics and Thermodynamics Group, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT)
To adapt a thermal management system to the individual needs of the cells, quantitative data of the thermal and safety parameters are needed. It will be shown how these data can be obtained by both calorimetry and heat flux sensors. This allows finding
new and quantitative correlations between different, critical thermal and safety related parameters.
11:25 Cell Temperature Estimation for a Complete Battery Pack Using Limited Thermal Measurement
Subhajeet Rath, Research Scientist, Powertrains, TNO Helmond
In this proposal, a real-time capable "Thermal State Observer" is developed, which can estimate the cell temperature of the complete battery pack from thermal measurements at selected locations. A battery pack model is also developed, which is scalable
and modular, and can be applied to a wide range of battery configuration. The algorithms are validated on a cylindrical cell battery module developed in-house.
11:45 Understanding and Formulations of Material Selection for Battery Pack Designs
Terence Kearns, Manager, Business Development, WEVO-CHEMIE GmbH
WEVO-CHEMIE GmbH, years of research and amassed data from customers, applications, and industry stakeholders, have compiled a simpler guide for material selection. Explain the key attributes and boundaries of each chemistry. Considerations for processing
and the consequent disparate influences. Formulated into an easy-to-understand engineering format.
12:05 Q&A
12:30 Networking Lunch
13:55 NEW: Chairperson’s Remarks
Alastair Hales, MEng, PhD, Research Associate, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Imperial College London
14:00 Sensorless Temperature Measurement Exploiting Online Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy
Alexander Gitis, PhD Post-Doc/CEO, Aachen University/Safion GmbH
A novel methodology, which is based on online electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (oEIS) is introduced. The experimental validation with commercial automotive lithium-ion cell shows that a high measurement of accuracy in the range of conventional temperature
sensors was achieved even during demanding operation conditions.
14:20 'True' Isothermal Cell Cycling Data and Its Application to Cell Development and Thermal Management System Design
Jake Kay, Senior Research & Development Engineer, Research and Development, Thermal Hazard Technology LLC
We describe 'true' isothermal data derived using a surface contact temperature control method, developed by THT in collaboration with Imperial College London and Cranfield University. We show how this data is critical for cell development and the design
of thermal management systems, and propose testing protocols for adoption by the industry.
14:40 Proposed Standards and Methods for Leak Testing Lithium-Ion Batteries
Sandra Seitz, Dipl.-Ing., Market Manager, Automotive Leak Detection, Marketing, INFICON GmbH
Detection of micro-leaks in lithium-ion battery cells is absolutely essential to achieve necessary lifetime and safety requirements. This presentation will discuss how small leaks – down to the 10-6 mbar l/s range – can be detected reliably
on potentially leaking battery cells through detection of escaping liquid electrolyte vapors.
15:00 Q&A
15:15 Refreshment Break
15:50 NEW: Chairperson’s Remarks
Jake Kay, Senior Research & Development Engineer, Research and Development, Thermal Hazard Technology LLC
15:55 Thermal Switching Sheet to Suppress Propagation Behavior of Battery Module/Pack with High Energy Density Cells
Tomohiro Kawai, PhD, Senior Chief Scientist, Science & Innovation Center, Mitsubishi Chemical Corp.
The prevention of thermal runaway propagation between LIB cells inside the battery module/pack has become one of the important challenges for enhancing safety. Mitsubishi Chemical has developed a new concept of thermal sheet with switching function of
heat flow between cells. We will introduce the potential contribution to the heat management design of the battery module/pack using the sheet based on thermal simulation.
16:15
Alastair Hales, MEng, PhD, Research Associate, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Imperial College London
Lithium-ion cells can unintentionally be exposed to temperatures outside manufacturers' recommended limits without triggering a full thermal runaway event. The question addressed in this paper is: Are these cells still safe to use? In this study, externally
applied compression has been employed to prevent lithium-ion battery failure during such events.
16:35 :NEW: Metal Plastic Hybrid (MPH) Rocker Panel for EV Battery Protection
Vamsy Godthi, Scientist, Emerging Applications & Prototyping, SABIC Research & Technology Pvt Ltd.
Honeycomb-based MPH rocker panel structures were designed to absorb impact energy in the available/limited package space for pole impact requirements. Material models (MAT 24 & MAT 187) were developed using high strain-rate data, and simulations were
performed to optimize the design using LS Dyna. The MPH rocker panel developed is 40% lighter in weight with similar performance, when compared with the metal solution.
16:55 Q&A
17:10 Grand Opening Welcome Reception with Poster Viewing
18:15 Dinner Tutorial Check-In*
18:30 Dinner Tutorials 4-7
20:30 Close of Day
Tuesday, 14 January
7:30 Symposium Registration & Morning Coffee
Terrassen - Saal C
8:30 Chairperson’s Opening Remarks
Kevin Konecky, Battery Systems Consultant, Total Battery Consulting, Inc.
8:35 Battery Systems & Charging
Kevin Konecky, Battery Systems Consultant, Total Battery Consulting, Inc.
Different charging protocols and standards across the globe will be discussed with trends analyzed, as well as improvements to user convenience, including faster DC-charging and wireless charging.
8:55 Fast-Charging in Practice – A Way to Get It Done!
Michael Schönleber, PhD, CTO, Batemo GmbH
By using a validated and physical battery model, one can, for any condition, assess the anode potential and use this knowledge to avoid Lithium-Plating. In our talk, we will use such a model to derive various practically feasible fast-charging strategies
of different complexity. As a reality check, we will apply these strategies to real cells and discuss how well they perform with respect to charging time and aging.
9:15 Low Resistance Negative Electrodes for Fast-Charging Lithium-Ion Batteries
Martin Ebner, PhD, CEO, Battrion AG
We present a novel fabrication technology that reduces the resistance of negative electrodes of lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). Fast-charging of high-energy-density LIBs is limited by increased degradation brought about by lithium plating on the negative
electrode. In this talk, we investigate how reduced negative electrode resistance leads to shorter charging time without compromising energy density, safety, and lifetime.
9:35 Materials Solutions for EV Battery Assembly: Thermal Management and Fire Protection
Julien Richeton, PhD, Technical Service & Development Scientist, Dow Performance Silicones, Dow
The large adoption of EV will depend on the industry’s ability to meet ever-increasing expectations for reliability, processing, cost, performance, and value. Dow, as a leading chemical company, is providing innovative materials for the assembly
and thermal management of battery modules and battery packs. This presentation will review Dow solutions that aim to address the industry challenges.
9:55 Q&A
10:10 Coffee Break with Exhibit & Poster Viewing
11:00 Chairperson’s Remarks
Jan Singer, PhD, Battery Engineer, TWAICE Technologies
11:05 Digital Twins for Li-Ion Battery Cells
Peter Birke, PhD, Professor, Head of Electrical Energy Storage Systems, University of Stuttgart
11:25 NEW: CO-PRESENTATION: Predictive Battery Analytics Software Based on Digital Twins
Jan Singer, PhD, Battery Engineer, TWAICE Technologies
Arpit Maheshwari, PhD, Lead Battery Engineer, TWAICE Technologies
This presentation will cover how digital twins can enable precise determination and prediction of battery performance and health, and can help the industry pave the way for the future, significantly reduce operational and capital expenditures, as well
as leverage asset values.
11:45 Battery Intelligence: Using Machine Learning to Make the BMS Smarter and Improve Battery Life and Performance
Alexandre Collet,CTO, Research & Development, ION Energy
Estimating the SOH of a battery is still a challenge for many BMS under different applications. The answer lies in Battery Data, which is a useful resource of meaningful insights to improve its efficiency and extend its life. It provides immense potential
to understand battery behaviour under different operating conditions and applications. The huge amount of battery data generated worldwide presents a need for Battery Intelligence Platforms powered by Machine Learning Algorithms to make the BMS smarter
and help battery makers improve their battery design and technology.
12:05 Robust SMD Fuses in Higher Safe Power Density for Automotive Application
Liwu Wang, PhD, Director of Business Development, Business Development, AEM Components (USA), Inc.
The solid, robust structure of high-current SMD fuses that are built on patented technologies diversify well the package size and safe power density. All models with current ratings from 20A to 125A are offered the same 2822 package size, which is very
suitable for the 48V battery system.
12:25 Q&A
12:40 Networking Lunch
13:55 Dessert Break with Exhibit & Poster Viewing
14:40 Chairperson’s Remarks
Tal Sholklapper, CEO, Voltaiq
14:45 Introduction to Battery Intelligence Systems (BIS): The Missing Layer in Your Battery Stack
Tal Sholklapper, CEO, Voltaiq
While the industry is familiar with the battery and its battery management system (BMS), very few are aware of the critical need for a missing third layer, the Battery Intelligence System (BIS). The BIS is needed to unlock the significant advances in
battery yield, energy density, and lifetime that the industry is calling for. Historically, product OEMs have treated batteries like black boxes, building mechanical and electrical interfaces to keep them stable. As batteries now become the make-or-break
component in low-cost EVs and long-lived consumer electronics, companies need the BIS to provide a new level of insight, and ensure that batteries are performant, reliable, and safe.
15:05 Customizing Lithium-Ion Cells – From the First Material Tests to Series Production
Torge Thönnessen, CEO, Customcells
Batteries are not a one-fit-all solution. Customcells develops tailor-made and optimized battery configurations that can meet very specific requirements, such as high energy density and C-rates, as well as installation space or temperature requirements.
In order to offer the highest quality and thus a long cycle life and safety, we strive for high transparency and corresponding traceability during the development and production process.
15:25 Centralizing Global Battery Analytics and Data Management
Oliver Gross, Energy Storage Systems, Advanced Electrification and Technology, FCA USA LLC
This presentation will discuss how FCA is using the power of big data analytics to accelerate battery system qualification while maintaining battery safety, performance, and reliability.
15:45 NEW: ALP Nano-coatings: A Cost & Performance Leader in Battery Coatings
James Trevey, PhD, CTO, Forge Nano
16:05 Q&A
16:25 Networking Reception with Exhibit & Poster Viewing (Sponsorship Opportunity Available)
17:25 Dinner Tutorial Check-In*
18:00 Dinner Tutorials 8-11
20:00 Close of Day