Battery electronification: intracell actuation and thermal management.

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Electrochemistry
• Energy Storage

Background:

• Electrochemical batteries are crucial for vehicle electrification and renewable energy storage.
• Existing battery designs often involve compromises between power, energy, lifespan, and safety due to reaction interfaces.
• External thermal management systems can be bulky and inefficient.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop an integrated battery system that overcomes the limitations of external thermal management.
• To enhance battery performance, safety, and longevity through internal regulation.
• To introduce a simplified, drop-in ready battery solution.

Main Methods:

• Integration of an ultrathin foil heater and a microswitch within the battery cell's layer-by-layer architecture.
• Utilizing intracell actuation and mutual thermal management between the switch and battery materials.
• Demonstration of a two-terminal, self-contained battery design.

Main Results:

• Achieved rapid self-heating rates (approximately 60°C min⁻¹).
• Demonstrated low energy consumption for heating (0.138% of battery energy per °C).
• Exhibited excellent durability with over 2000 cycles.

Conclusions:

• The chip-in-cell battery offers a simplified and efficient approach to thermal management.
• This integrated platform enables internal regulation of battery performance, lifetime, and safety.
• The technology paves the way for 'battery electronification' with integrated sensing, control, and communication capabilities.