Towards comprehensive understanding of battery degradation
Project leader
Dates
March 2018 to February 2021
Project staff
Dr Musbahu Muhammad, Dr Muez Shiref
Sponsors
Partners
University of Cambridge, Imperial College London, University College London, University of Liverpool, University of Manchester, University of Southampton, University of Sheffield, University of Warwick and 10 Industrial Collaborators
Description
Mass manufacture has driven down the cost of lithium-ion batteries. But widespread adoption of battery electrical vehicles is still hindered by durability. Battery lifetime falls well below consumer expectation for long-term applications such as transport.
Fast charging is crucial to help assuage range anxiety and provide operational convenience. But fast charging can speed up and even trigger degradation mechanisms. These are not present in 'normal' operating conditions. The automotive industry needs to better understand the causes and mechanisms of degradation. This will enable improved control and prediction of the state of health of battery systems.
We are investigating a novel method for implementation on a Battery Management System (BMS). The method is prognostic and diagnostic. It will identify battery degradation signatures and suggest countermeasures. Identifying degradation signatures will lead to increased lifetime and better prediction of failure. It will speed up the development of new battery chemistry.