Fraunhofer Institute for Electronic Microsystems and Solid State Technologies EMFTWhether electric car or photovoltaic system - intelligent battery systems and storage units are key enablers for sustainable technologies. In the HealthBatt research project, Fraunhofer EMFT researchers are working with partners on a multi-sensor approach to holistically record and evaluate load profiles in battery storage systems. The combination of failure analyses and AI-supported data evaluation is intended to extend the service life of battery systems and increase safety of use in the event of overload.
HealthBatt: Sensor technology for intelligent battery systems
Current battery management systems, such as those installed in electric vehicles, usually only use thermal and electrical measurement data to monitor the condition of battery storage systems. In the HealthBatt project, a holistic sensor concept is developed for more accurate estimation of the service life of battery systems, taking into consideration the effects of additional stress factors, such as schocks, mechanical vibrations and moisture. Together with intelligent data analysis, this new multi-sensor approach also enables reduction of unexpected failures and a downstream application (second-life application) as a stationary system. The partner consortium in the "HealthBatt" project pools all the necessary expertise for this task. The coordinator, Varta, is providing a prototype of an universally usable battery cell with the abovementioned sensor functions. Semiconductor manufacturer Infineon is supplying the electronic modules for recording the battery's state of charge as well as system components for data transmission and processing. The Institute for Machine Tools and Industrial Management (iwb) at the Technical University of Munich is developing new laser beam-based joining techniques for contacting the cells. The Fraunhofer ISC is working on the testing methodology for assessing the condition of the cells and carrying out post-mortem analyses.
The main research tasks of Fraunhofer EMFT include the delivery of a humidity sensor, the adaptation and assembly of sensors for mechanical shock and the integration of these components on or in foil substrates. The use of foil systems enables largely free dimensioning and shaping for adaptation to the form of the battery cells. Another task of the EMFT is the conceptual design of data communication and its realization in cooperation with the partners.
With these research tasks, the project will make a valuable contribution to the sustainable use of batteries for electromobility. Important aspects of this are the development of a database for the qualification and prediction of the battery status (SoH: "Status of Health"), improved resource efficiency in the handling of valuable materials such as lithium and an extended value chain in the material cycle through the extended use of the battery modules ("second life"). The project is funded by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Protection under the funding code 16BZF346E.