Lithium Ion Energy storage research and battery testing

While generating energy is a very important and serious task, the storage is just as important. Throughout history, there have been numerous of energy storing methods, and this subject is still heavily researched to this day.

Energy Storage research is carried out across a number of departments and research groups at many universities all over the world. The research focuses on the development of new electrode chemistries for lithium-ion batteries and understanding how these systems function. Overall aim of the research is the development of batteries that are capable of being charged and discharged in a shorter period of time. Another key objective is to develop new batteries that are capable of storing much more power.

In testing labs, or also called battey labs, industrial and academic energy storage users come together to test and analyze batteries and the materials that go into them. Here, materials are being prepared and battery tests are being performed to understand the phenoma/processes and ultimately improve the performance and safety of the battery.

Battery testing includes forcing the batteries to go into thermal runaway. Several thermal runaway initiation methodes are used related to internal and external abuse triggers.

Thermal initiation – using a heating element inside and outside the battery

Mechanical initiation – penatrating the battery with a nail

Electrical initiation – reversing the polarity, causing short circuit