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Batteries at Extreme Conditions Lab

two researchers in lab coats next to temperature-controlled battery cycling machine that looks like a large stainless steel refrigerator with open door

The Laboratory for Batteries at Extreme Conditions offers a unique portfolio of testing and characterization tools for electrochemical energy storage systems in emerging applications. This lab contributes significantly to the development of safe, efficient, and reliable energy storage solutions for urban mobility aviation, including Electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing (eVTOL) aircraft.  Batteries powering aerial vehicles are subjected to demanding conditions including rapid acceleration, high power outputs, and extreme temperature and vibration variations. This laboratory bridges the gap between laboratory testing and real-world aviation environments by simulating these harsh conditions.

This research has a profound impact on the future of aviation, enabling the development of electric and hybrid propulsion systems that can power the next generation of aircraft, reducing carbon emissions and revolutionizing air travel.

Researcher in lab coat operates mechanical battery testing machine which looks like a tall metal frame with a test platform in the center

Uniqueness and capabilities

  • Evaluation under in situ conditions: Conducting in-depth assessments to understand how batteries react to stressors and temperature fluctuations for safer aviation and eVTOL systems.
  • Battery operation under high-power scenarios: Evaluating how batteries perform when subjected to extreme power demands, such as those experienced during rapid acceleration and maneuvers in aviation and eVTOL applications.
  • Thermal behavior analysis: Exploring innovative thermal output mechanisms of operating batteries under extreme conditions to evaluate heat flow and assess if batteries can operate efficiently and safely under the wide temperature variations encountered in aviation.
  • Dynamic load impact analysis: Investigating how battery behavior is affected by the constant changes in energy demand during takeoff, flight, and landing, for optimizing aerospace battery design and durability.
Researcher in blue lab coat holding glass cylinder next to square orange machine that measures heat from charging or discharging batteries

Technology resources 

  • Battery system analyzer capable of testing large format cells when under high current up to 100 A, as well as when experiencing extreme current pulses, to investigate the high-power cycling performance of pouch and cylindrical cells. Each channel is equipped with an impedance analyzer to probe the cells’ state of health. 
  • 10 kN articulated load frame coupled with thermal chamber for dynamic load testing of cells. The load frame offers a wide range of mechanical testing capabilities, allowing researchers to apply various types of loads and stressors such as tensile, compressive, and bending forces. 
  • Calorimeter that provides key data on the thermal behavior of batteries, helping researchers design safer and more efficient battery systems for aviation and eVTOL applications. It aids in understanding battery reactions, optimizing materials, and ensuring the reliability and safety of these critical power sources in extreme operational conditions.