Current Density Imaging in EV battery modules

"This project will assess and characterise new and existing techniques for measuring the current flow through EV batteries including based upon emerging quantum sensor technology. A new generation of battery management systems can be developed as a result of these measurement to enhance the life and performance of the battery pack in consumer vehicles. This will help improve the public perception and trust in this essential new technology.

By maintaining an accurate and timely estimate of the state of charge, state of health and thermal properties of the battery, it will be possible to effectively eliminate the possibility of batteries overheating and causing fires, which remains an important consumer concern.

The purpose of this project is to assess the feasibility of these new techniques, based upon quantum sensors, to be deployed within a battery management system (BMS). New data processing systems will be developed to assess battery performance and to provide real-time data for and to allow the BMS to maintain the optimal condition of the battery pack in an EV.

The project will deliver a battery module demonstrator incorporating the new sensor suite, data processing software and BMS.

We envisage that this sensor technology will be disruptive in managing EV batteries and could become a standard requirement of new car certification in order to improve consumer safety, confidence and uptake of EVs."