StoreDot Creates Battery Cooling for EV Extreme Fast Charging
StoreDot’s concept integrates thermal management into the structure of each battery cell. This article discusses the need for cooling in battery charging and StoreDot’s cooling concept.
The electric vehicle (EV) industry is working tirelessly to solve the problem of range anxiety, the driver’s fear of losing battery charge during a trip. Generally, engineers have two approaches to addressing this problem: creating batteries with greater capacity or developing EVs that charge faster.
Battery cooling system. Image used courtesy of StoreDot
A major proponent of enabling faster EV charging is the development of better battery cell cooling techniques, which allow for higher power charging without risk of safety or battery degradation. Recently, StoreDot developed an EV battery concept integrating battery cooling into the structure of the battery cells to enable extreme fast charging (XFC).
Cooling for Fast Charging
A pivotal technological advancement is the need for effective cooling of battery cells during fast charging.
When an EV battery is charged quickly, it generates substantial heat due to the increased current flow and battery internal parasitics. One potential side effect of elevated temperatures is the degradation of battery materials, shortening the battery's overall lifespan. Beyond this, excessive heat can pose safety risks, including the potential for thermal runaway, in which increasing temperatures can lead to a self-sustaining cycle of rising heat and potential battery failure.
The solution to this challenge is innovative cooling technology designed to efficiently dissipate the heat generated during fast charging. This helps to maintain the battery's temperature within a safe and optimal operating range while also enhancing the battery's performance and longevity.
Liquid cooling systems circulate a coolant to absorb and transfer heat away from the battery cells, and air cooling systems use airflow to remove heat.
I-BEAM XFC Battery Technology
StoreDot’s I-BEAM XFC is a cell-to-pack concept that aims to transform extreme fast charging capabilities.
Video used courtesy of StoreDot
Central to the I-BEAM XFC concept lies StoreDot's proprietary 100in5 cell technology. This technology can charge from 10 to 80 percent capacity in 10 minutes, providing 100 miles of range in just 5 minutes. The packs have also been demonstrated to withstand 1,000 consecutive extreme charging cycles before degrading below 80% of their initial capacity. According to the company, the key innovation in I-BEAM XFC is its unique approach to integrating the 100in5 electrodes into newly developed cells directly incorporated into the battery pack.
StoreDot 100in5 testing. Image used courtesy of StoreDot
The I-BEAM XFC uses a patented structural cooling concept. Unlike conventional cooling systems in EV batteries, this technology is embedded within the structure of each cell. This approach to thermal management is critical for maintaining uniform temperatures across the battery pack and preventing localized hot spots. These measures are necessary for handling the ultra-high currents necessary for rapid charging while keeping system overhead to a minimum.
Enabling Fast Charging
StoreDot’s I-BEAM XFC concept may potentially address the complexity and cost challenges associated with embedding XFC capability at the vehicle level. While the technology is still in the conceptual phase, StoreDot has already secured several patents for its unique architecture. The company is on a rapid path to commercialization. In 2024, they plan to demonstrate the world's first EV equipped with XFC technology, ship prismatic B-samples to OEMs, and expand operations in the U.S.
