Smart Batteries could Improve Electric Vehicles

Dec-08-15 Researchers have created a battery device able to operate even if some of it cells are defective, offering new possibilities for electric vehicles.

In conventional batteries, the battery is only as strong as its weakest cell. That means if one cell is defective or drained, the entire system will need to be recharged. Not only does this shortcoming increase the price of batteries, it also causes EVs to malfunction.

As an alternative, researchers from Fraunhofer developed a modular battery system where each battery cell is equipped with its own microprocessor. This allows each cell to recognize its own condition and communicate with the other cells to accurately determine the battery’s true charge level. If an individual cell is drained, it can simply “decouple” from the group while the other cells continue to function normally.

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[GIZMAG.COM]
[FRAUNHOFER.DE]

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