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What is a flow battery?

What is a flow battery?

A flow battery, also known as a redox flow battery (from the words reduction and oxidation), is a liquid-based rechargeable cell. In a traditional battery, the electrolyte is the medium through which electrons can travel between the cathode and anode. In a flow battery, the anode and cathode themselves are electrolyte solutions.

In the most simple iteration of a flow battery, the electrochemical cell consists of two half-cells that are each connected to an electrolyte tank. The two tanks are filled with the negatively charged cathode and the positively charged anode respectively. The half-cells are separated by a porous membrane through which ions are exchanged. They are also each attached to the current collector which joins the cell with the power load. Energy is released or stored by the continuous circulation of the electrolyte solution through the half-cells. 

Common materials for flow batteries include vanadium, which is favored because of its ability to exist in four states of oxidation, crucial in the reduction and oxidation process. Iron chromium, zinc bromine, and zinc ion, are also typical materials for flow batteries.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of flow batteries?

Flow batteries are still being researched, but studies suggest that they lack the same degradation that can be found in lithium batteries. This means that they potentially have a much longer lifespan. Some project that flow batteries can last up to 30 years. This makes it a good choice for larger and longer-term applications.

The flow battery is also easily scalable. Larger tanks and a more concentrated electrolyte solution can be used. However, because of its large mass, flow batteries are not as conveniently portable as lithium-ion batteries, making them more suitable to stationary energy storage uses.

Because flow batteries do not use the same flammable electrolyte material as lithium-ion, they are supposedly safer, removing the issue of flammability of the battery cell. They are also less likely to experience thermal runaway.

One key disadvantage of flow batteries is its lower energy capacity. With the convenience and high capacity of lithium batteries, it can be difficult for flow batteries to compete. Another disadvantage is its greater upfront cost. Because the setup itself is larger, it can cost more to install flow batteries. However, because of its long lifespan, it is possible that the cost of ownership is more affordable in the long run.

Flow Battery Applications

The main application of flow batteries that is being looked at is for energy storage. This ranges from small-scale uses for homes that use renewable energy, to large-scale grid storage. 

Some are also looking into flow batteries for electric vehicles. The technology is still immature, but the concept would borrow from traditional fuel powered cars where the fluid inside the battery would be replenished with a fresh electrolyte solution. This arrangement would remove the long time it takes to recharge an EV battery, potentially becoming a much more convenient solution.

Testing Flow Batteries

Arbin’s FBTS has been designed specifically for flow batteries. The charge/discharge flow battery testing system can range from small research-grade single cells up to 300kW stacks. Like Arbin’s other battery test equipment, the FBTS is highly customizable to individual research needs. Third party pumps and other hardware can be easily integrated with the system, and the electronic circuitry is easily programmable using Arbin’s MITS Pro Software. 

While the adoption of flow batteries is still slow, and lithium-ion still holds the largest market share for the foreseeable future, it is possible that flow batteries will play an important role in the future of energy storage as the world moves towards green energy sources. As flow battery research continues to grow, new chemistries and improvements will be made, pushing flow batteries to be a stronger contender in the field of energy storage solutions.

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The Role of Grid Storage in Smart Grids and Smart Cities

Grid Storage

What would the city of the future look like? With the advent of technology, people have been speculating for decades what a future fully integrated with technology would look like. Nowadays, a city of the future is expected to not only integrate technology and the Internet of Things into every aspect of everyday life, but be energy resilient and eco-friendly at the same time This requires not only adopting renewable energy or cleaner technologies such as electric vehicles; creating a smart city requires a comprehensive and flexible approach to energy management. This is why many places are looking into smart grids that allow for two-way communication between energy producers and consumers. When paired with grid storage, smart grids can be an effective way to regulate and monitor energy consumption, creating a grid system that is efficient overall for all parties involved.

How does a smart grid work?

Most electricity grids fall behind energy and resiliency needs. A traditional grid carries energy from a power plant through a series of interconnected power lines to the consumer. Energy is produced and delivered according to real-time demand. During peak hours, energy production is high, and off-peak it lowers. This can cause a strain on the grid, especially if demand outweighs what the power plant can produce. If there is disruption on the power lines, a blackout could occur and power would need to be rerouted manually. 

A smart grid aims to address these response and resiliency issues found in traditional grids. A smart grid uses two-way communication technologies, sensors and advanced digital meters to assess grid stability and efficiency. Not only will energy producers be able to monitor energy demand and consumption, consumers themselves can also monitor their energy usage. As energy costs can also fluctuate throughout the day, consumers can schedule energy usage around the cost of energy. This would allow them to make better choices to conserve energy and reduce costs. If homes or buildings are equipped with renewable energy sources such as solar panels or wind turbines, they can also sell energy back to the grid, reducing their own costs.

Sensors on the smart grid would be used to detect any disruptions and automatically reroute power if necessary. This speedy response could reduce the occurrence of accidents and casualties in the event of a blackout. 

How does having grid storage support the smart grid?

Without grid storage, a smart grid would ultimately still only act and react according to the demands on the grid. In the past, when a power plant cannot meet the needs of a grid, the solution would be to build new power plants to increase energy production. With grid storage, energy can be stored on the grid and released when necessary. During off-peak hours when demand is low, extra energy can be produced and stored on the grid. Stored energy can be released when demand is high so as not to overstrain real-time energy production. It is also a potentially cheaper and more efficient way to secure back up energy should other sources fail. Currently, backup plants and generators that come online when there is a power failure are costly to maintain. This could also help keep energy costs low by producing energy when demand is low and energy cheap.

Besides this, grid storage would facilitate the integration of multiple energy sources, as well as address the issue of inconsistent availability of renewable sources such as wind and sun. Without grid storage, energy must be produced and consumed immediately. If the demand is less than the energy production capacity, then the unused capacity is wasted. A smart grid coupled with grid storage would be able to gather multiple sources and adjust collection and release of energy with the information gathered through the different sensors and monitors.

Grid storage would also help with the decentralization of energy, allowing rural places further away from main sources of energy to store energy. Should power lines between the main grid and the remote area fail, there would still be energy available before power lines come back online.

Cities are moving towards smarter, more efficient consumption and production of energy. The flexibility and resiliency that grid storage can provide these key elements is creating stronger and safer electricity grids and greener, smarter cities.

Learn how Arbin is helping to create these smarter cities of the future.

How Battery Materials Can Affect Battery Efficiency

The chemical composition of a battery can be very delicate. The active materials within the cell work together in the energy releasing process and the choice of materials can determine the efficiency of the battery. However, undesired chemical reactions can also occur, affecting the safety and longevity of the cell. Different materials can cause unwanted results such as dendrite formation, short circuits and thermal runaway, and electrode degradation can be avoided or facilitated depending on the combination of materials.

The battery is made up of multiple parts; the main active materials are the anode, the cathode, and the electrolyte. Much of battery materials research focuses on testing materials for these components. Different materials have different advantages and disadvantages, alone, as well as in combination with other materials. In this article, we cover some materials being used or under research for the three key active materials.

The anode

The anode of the battery is the negative electrode, releasing ions to the cathode to create the electric charge. In a rechargeable battery, the anode becomes the positive pole during charging, collecting and storing ions to be released when needed.

The ideal anode is one that has high storage capacity and can maintain this capacity over time. Metal electrodes have been found to carry the highest number of ions; thus, in theory, pure metal is the most efficient anode material, as it provides a high energy capacity. However, they also can be highly reactive, making them difficult to work with. Lithium metal is one such example. One of the issues with li-metal is dendrite formation, a process where lithium composites unevenly on the surface of the anode, creating branch-like structures that can pierce the separator and cause the battery to short circuit.

Magnesium metal is another metal with a large theoretical capacity, but can be difficult to work with. Magnesium metal reacts with the electrolyte, causing the electrolyte to spontaneously decompose to form a solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) layer. This can occur in other battery compositions as well, but with magnesium this layer is ionically insulating, meaning the anode can no longer release or receive ions, essentially rendering the cell useless. In this situation, an anode-electrolyte combination that is not as sensitive would be more practical.

Graphite is seen as a favorable choice as an anode as it is abundant, naturally conductive, and does not present the problem of dendrite formation. It is currently a common anode material in lithium-ion batteries, but has not been as successful when paired with sodium or magnesium ions. A study has stated that this could be because they have the weakest chemical binding to a given substrate, leading to a lower energy capacity. This shows how while a material can work well in one instance, it might not work well in another.

The cathode

The cathode works in reverse of the anode. It is the positive electrode during discharge, receiving the ions from the anode, and it is the negative pole when charging.

Similar to the anode, an ideal cathode should have a high capacity, and, in a rechargeable cell, be able to reverse the chemical process without compromising the battery. 

Cobalt is one material commonly used as the cathode in lithium-ion batteries; it provides a high energy density, which is why it is a popular choice. However, it has a limited temperature range and there are risks of thermal runaway. As it is a heavy metal, there are also numerous environmental concerns when it comes to battery disposal. Companies like Tesla are shifting focus to develop cobalt-free batteries.

Sulfur is a favored cathode material as it is abundant and has a high electrochemical potential. Sulfur, by itself, has low conductivity and is often mixed with conductive materials like carbon nanotubes to improve this issue. However, there is also a significant volume expansion problem. A study found that the sulfur cathode increased 170% after cycling. This causes a mechanical strain on the cathode, which could lead to cracks in its structure, greatly affecting battery performance.

Air, in combination with multiple materials, has been explored as a cathode alternative as well. The idea behind this is to use oxygen in the ambient air in the chemical process. Like sulfur, air has a high theoretical capacity. Depending on the material air is paired with, the drawbacks of air differ. Typically, the surface area of the substrate is proportional to the true capacity of the cell. However, in li-air cells, pore size has been found to be more important, as smaller pores can be clogged by lithium oxides precipitates that can form during the chemical reaction.

The Electrolyte

As the medium through which ions travel between the cathodes and anodes, the electrolyte is an important part of a functioning battery. However, it should be a passive part of the chemical process. Thus, an ideal electrolyte material should be conductive but not reactive. Since the electrolyte is in direct contact with the electrodes, unwanted chemical reactions can occur that would interfere with the performance of the battery.

Organic electrolytes are preferred because of their wide electrochemical window. This means that it can remain stable over a wide range of voltages without decomposing.

These electrolytes typically consist of a dissolved metal salt. However, since these materials are organic, they are subject to decomposition. The products and gases produced from decomposition can be toxic and compromise the integrity of the cell.

Organic electrolytes are also known to be flammable. Aqueous electrolytes address this issue. One type, water in salt electrolytes, has a wide electrochemical window and a higher conductivity than organic electrolytes. This could be a viable alternative for safer batteries.

Solid electrolytes are slowly gaining recognition as a possible substitute. Despite its theoretically lower conductivity, there are advantages to solid state batteries, including safety and the suppression of dendrite formation.  

Conclusion

Battery materials should be chosen and optimized based on the application of the battery. Different cathode, anode, and electrolyte combinations may enhance one quality of the battery but compromise another. A battery that optimizes energy capacity may only be able to operate at a lower specific power, and in other cases this may be reversed. For instance, some applications, such as grid storage, may need a large energy capacity, whereas others should be optimized for power output. In many instances, these raw materials are often processed in order to reduce the occurrence of unwanted chemical reactions or loss of capacity. For example, lithium batteries often undergo pre-lithiation to compensate for the active lithium content that is lost in cycling. Graphite may also undergo a fluorination process to increase its surface area and overall battery capacity.

Researchers are constantly looking for the ultimate combination of battery materials in order to create safe, reliable, and durable energy storage solutions. 

Reference: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2590049819301201


Learn how Arbin helps researchers test their battery materials.

Game-changing Million Mile Electric Vehicle Battery

Chinese car battery manufacturers CALT announced that it is ready to produce a battery that can last for 1.2 million miles across the span of 16 years. This is double the lifespan and eight-times the mileage of current EV batteries, the best of which are typically warrantied for up to 150,000 miles for 8-10 years. This development implies that CATL has figured out a way to reduce battery degradation and loss of capacity -- a process that occurs naturally with batteries over time. 

A battery of this caliber could change the EV industry for the better. It has been long thought that battery technology has yet to reach the capabilities necessary to overtake internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles for good. While the first generation of fully electric vehicles are still coming to age, there is not yet a comprehensive idea of the impact of long-term consumer use on EVs and batteries. Nonetheless, a battery of this capacity could significantly drive forward EV adoption and provoke larger energy storage solutions.

Declining battery costs

It’s believed that what’s dubbed as the “million-mile battery” could help bring down battery costs. Currently, EV batteries cost around $175 to $300 per kilowatt-hour. Analysts believe that battery costs would need to decline to $100 per kilowatt-hour for the prices of EVs to be comparable to that of ICE vehicles. While it has been projected that this cost could be reached by 2025, researchers at MIT have begged to differ. 

A report published by the MIT Energy Initiative last year states that the $100/kwh price point may not be reached in the next few years if EV manufacturers continue to rely on lithium-ion batteries. Even though the cost has already been on a steady decline, they predict it would slow down as it reaches the limitations of the cost of raw materials. Moreover, as the demand for lithium-ion batteries will continue to increase, they state it would be unlikely that battery prices would decrease significantly.

CATL’s new battery is currently  priced at a 10% premium of their current EV batteries. While the upfront cost is certainly pricier, it makes up for it by its longevity. EV batteries account for a third of the vehicle’s total cost, so the thought of having to replace it if something happens can be daunting for vehicle owners. This is one of the reasons for consumer hesitation towards electric vehicles. Even though most major vehicle manufacturers warranty their batteries for about 8 years, manufacturers and consumers are still waiting to see exactly how long the batteries will last.

The longevity of the battery could even out the overall lifetime cost of ownership by reducing the likelihood that the battery would need to be replaced. The long term durability of the battery could certainly alleviate vehicle owners’ concerns 

Longevity, however, does not denote capacity. The capacity per charge of the EV battery would still be determined by the size of battery that can be placed within the vehicle. So while the million-mile battery may address durability concerns, it may not actually address range anxiety. This is another aspect of the battery that would still need to be improved.

The second life of batteries

An average ICE passenger car lasts about 8-12 years and 150,000 to 200,000 miles. With fewer mechanical parts, EVs could last longer than traditional cars. However, if EVs end up having similar lifespans, the million-mile battery would outlive the rest of the car. This could give rise to battery recycling and repurposing, further decreasing the cost of energy storage. The EV battery pack could be reused in a second vehicle or even in other applications such as grid storage. 

Heavy-duty applications

The million-mile battery could be a significant breakthrough for electric vehicles of all sizes. Commercial or heavy-duty vehicles such as taxis, buses, and trucks would benefit from a durable battery. The batteries of these vehicles typically endure much more stress than private passenger vehicles, with deeper and more frequent discharges and higher power requirements. Again, while it does not necessarily address the energy capacity of the vehicle per charge, it provides a more lasting solution.

With large applications such as grid storage, long-term sustainability is a key concern as frequent maintenance or power-failures could be costly and dangerous. However, a battery of this ability could also be significant to pushing forward this energy storage solution. The CATL packs are estimated to last for 20 years in applications such as energy storage.

The future of EV Batteries

Electrical vehicle battery manufacturers are looking into different ways to further improve battery technology including solid-state electrolytes, heavy-metal free batteries, ultra-fast charging, and higher energy capacity solutions. The EV industry is still finding its footing in the global push towards addressing climate change; a considerable improvement in battery technology would play a huge part in pushing clean energy and a wider acceptance of these solutions. Click the link to see how Arbin is helping to drive the future of EVs.

Batteries for Critical Military Applications

defensenews.com

The requirements of military equipment never change. Operation needs to be safe, performance needs to be assured, and it simply cannot fail.

Now, as innovation in unmanned vehicles and other segments of defense technology booms, batteries are stepping up to keep pace with that growth and ensure that mission-critical military applications succeed.

The Different Military Applications for Batteries

The military requires innovative battery solutions for a wide variety of key applications, though key weapons systems and vehicle applications are likely at the top of the list.

And battery developers have responded as of late, generating safer, more efficient and more productive solutions to play these critical roles.

In particular, within the past two years, the Defense Logistics Agency’s Battery Network research and development program (BATTNET) has worked toward new, lithium ion power for anti-tank missile systems, leveraging the innovative battery technology that’s also been cropping up for use in the growing electric vehicle sector.

The program has also reached out to manufacturers to inquire about leveraging newer, glasslike materials in lead-acid batteries to power armored vehicles. Previous lead-acid batteries required users to open cells and refill them with acid, which presented potentially dangerous challenges.

The Growing Importance of Reliable Energy

In addition to the clear safety aspect of more innovative battery solutions, BATTNET, created in 2010, is tasked with addressing sustainment problems, boosting manufacturing capabilities and efficiency, and identifying areas where innovative solutions can be used to the military’s benefit.

This push is centered around a core idea – by rethinking the way the military approaches equipment, which traditionally involves simply purchasing new equipment, and emphasizing sustainment and longevity, the costs typically associated with the purchase of new equipment can be rerouted to serve critical purposes elsewhere.

In this way, the military’s battery use is indicative of greater global trends, as manufacturers and end-users of batteries the world over search for ways to provide the same level of productivity and power in packages that promote sustainability, resource savings, and more.

Examining Military Demand for Batteries

This isn’t all theory and conjecture, either. According to a 2018 report from ReportLinker, military demand globally was expected to balloon by 31% by 2023.

This growth, the report posits, is going to be driven by sweeping modernization efforts across the world’s defense forces and even greater numbers of unmanned vehicles being produced, a bump in demand that mirrors a similar rise in electric vehicles for consumer use.

In particular, the world’s militaries will look for rechargeable batteries that reduce the burden on members of the armed forces, and lithium-ion solutions could be primed to lead the way on that front.

How Arbin Helps Support These Mission-Critical Initiatives

Wherever there is a significant call for innovation in battery production, testing must answer. Industry-leading testing equipment helps manufacturers keep pace with growing demand without sacrificing confidence in the solutions being produced – and Arbin is on the cutting-edge of battery testing.

To learn more about how Arbin delivers that industry-leading performance, visit arbin.com/products/battery-test-equipment/ today.

Using a Three-Electrode Cell in Battery Testing

Batteries commonly have two electrodes: anode and cathode. Ions travel through the separator to either electrode during the charge and discharge cycles and release energy in the process. 

Battery test cells can be built to include a third electrode. This is known as the reference electrode (RE). The RE allows for greater analysis of battery performance as it decouples test results between anode and cathode.

When researching battery materials, the use of a reference electrode (RE) allows researchers to measure and differentiate the contribution of each component of the cell to its overall performance. Three-electrode experiments help identify which electrode (anode or cathode) limits the cell performance during long-term testing. It is important to identify how each electrode is contributing to cell degradation under various test conditions instead of blindly experimenting with one or both.

Why is this important?

Most all electrochemical experiments and battery tests provide greater understanding of the cell when the anode and cathode results can be decoupled through use of a reference electrode.  This extends to what are traditionally considered “industrial” applications as well.  The dynamic charge-discharge profiles and fast charge simulations associated with commercial devices and electric vehicles can draw unique performance from a battery compared to low-rate constant current cycling.

Three-electrode testing is also beneficial for evaluating battery safety.  Minter and Juarez-Robles highlight how fast-charging, which is a highly sought characteristic for electric vehicles, creates a great need to detect and monitor lithium plating occurring on a cell anode.  [Minter RD, Juarez-Robles D, et al 2018 J Vis Exp., (135):57735.]  This can best be achieved using a three-electrode cell during testing.

One fundamental goal of battery research is to develop cells that are long-lasting.  This is especially important for electric vehicle and grid storage applications where the commercial cells and battery packs must last thousands of cycles and up to 10 years.  Three-electrode testing allows researchers to identify the limiting factor in their cell to focus attention where improvement is needed most.

How the reference electrode is used in different testing situations

  • During HPPC test, which are common for electric vehicle applications, the use of a reference electrode reveals electrode polarization.
  • Performing EIS shows the decoupled impedance from anode and cathode individually when a three-electrode cell is utilized.
  • The individual contribution of anode and cathode is revealed when demonstrating lithium loss due to SEI growth as a dominant aging mechanism.
  • Differential capacity analysis can reveal changes in the voltage profile of anode and cathode and how they individually contribute to cell degradation.

The obstacles in creating a stable and reliable three-electrode cell

Comparing results from a new three-electrode experiment to other published results needs to keep as many variables consistent as possible, such as electrode size, material amount, cell uniformity, etc., or else attempt to normalize results.  This is a principal reason why traditional cell types are modified to incorporate a reference electrode as “homemade” cell, so results are easier to compare with minimal normalization.  Researchers wish to demonstrate and compare their results to existing two-electrode data of the same cell type (cylindrical, pouch, coin).  However, since most battery material work is conducted using coincells, this is the natural choice for three-electrode experiments to compare the new results with the vast amount of tradition two-electrode data in publication.  The new experimental data will decouple the anode and cathode and provide new insights.

Other commercial three-electrode cells such as Swagelok-style or split cell designs are costly and not practical to implement and scale, and can sometimes to complicated to build and use.  Test results from these types of cells must also be normalized when comparing with traditional battery formats (coin, cylindrical, pouch, etc.).

Arbin’s three-electrode test cell configuration and its benefits

The novel “3E” coincell has the same surface area as a traditional CR2032 coincell and makes it ideal for comparing results across all published coincell data. It provides users with the ability to rapidly prototype new materials by performing large-scale three electrode testing. Traditional methods have proven too expensive and provided inconsistent results. Arbin’s new 3E Coin Cell provides users with an affordable, easy to use three-electrode cell holder that allows for long-term cycling, and provides consistent results between samples. The low unit cost, disposable design, and easy-to-build coin cell structure allows users to quickly build a large number of cells for materials research testing. The 3E Coin Cell interfaces with Arbin’s 3E Coin Cell Holder, and connects directly with our MSTAT product series

The alternative solutions for decoupling test results between anode and cathode described in sections above exist because this data has the ability to expedite battery research and development and bring new battery chemistries to market faster.

Arbin’s latest generation of LBT and MSTAT high-precision battery test equipment has attracted attention from both academic and industry researchers due to its ability to also expedite the battery development process.  24-bit resolution, extreme precision, and state-of-the-art thermal management that are standard with Arbin produce more detailed and consistent results than other battery testers.  This has led multiple industry partners to team up with Arbin on collaborative projects including ARPA-E grants. General Motors has permitted Arbin to license and commercialize a new three-electrode cell design that can further enhance and accelerate their battery testing program.

5 Features of Arbin’s Regenerative Battery Testing Series

A battery intended for a smartwatch should be tested with a slow and steady discharge profile that mimics the watch’s energy use in actuality. Conversely, a battery intended for larger applications such as electric vehicles, should be tested with dynamic test profiles that simulate how a car is used and driven. Battery test equipment should be able to test cells in a way that can accurately examine the cell with regards to its intended application. For instance, Arbin’s Regenerative Battery Testing (RBT) series is designed specifically for high-power batteries used in applications such as electric vehicles, military and stationary grid storage.

All of Arbin’s equipment is designed around the principles of flexibility, safety, and dependability. Learn more about the key features of our RBT series below.

  • Made for high-power applications

The RBT series is designed to test large battery packs. Providing wide voltage and current ranges and a high power range of up to 1MW.

The simulation control feature of the RBT allows the system to charge or discharge according to a dynamic test profile. For electric vehicles, this would mean importing a drive profile that mimics how energy and power demand changes during a drive. In an application such as grid storage, the test profile could mimic how the grid would collect and release energy throughout a certain period of time. The ability to conduct tests in this way is important to see how the switching between charging and discharging or the fluctuations in power requirements would affect the battery pack. Making use of true bipolar circuitry, there is no switching time between charging and discharging, meaning that more accurate simulations can be achieved. Each system is also built to run continuously at maximum power so there is no fear of overpowering the system if tests need to be run at high power for long periods of time.

  • Easy to program and collect data

Testing systems come with a PC equipped with MITS Pro, Arbin’s software package. The software is completely user-friendly and programming dynamic test profiles is simple. A text profile of time-vs-power or time-vs-current data in .xlsx, .csv, or .txt formats can be directly uploaded to the system. The system can safely handle thousands of data points to run your desired simulation.

Test profiles are completely customizable and easily programmed using dropdown menus. Parameters for different experiment controls such as current, voltage, power, load, and many others can be input directly into the system. All testing channels are completely independent but can also be combined to operate in parallel.

Data can be logged based on changes in Time, Current, or Voltage; data analysis and plotting tools are based in accessible programs such as Data Watcher and Microsoft Excel.

The goal of Arbin’s software is to simplify and streamline the testing process so users can get the most accurate and precise results.

  • The system has built-in safety features

Accidents or mishaps in battery testing can be dangerous. Circuit overloads, overheating, overcharging or over-discharging are problems that can occur during testing. MITS Pro also allows users to program safety limits for current, voltage, total power and more. Once a channel reaches the set limit, the system enters a rest state for a period of time, or halts the test altogether.

The system is also equipped with an emergency stop button and multiple levels of fusing to protect it from unintentional misuse. The equipment has onboard microcontrollers that will stop tests if there is a failure that poses a risk. These features are crucial in halting any problems as they arise, ensuring a safe testing environment.

  • An economical and efficient solution

One special feature of the RBT system is its use of regenerative circuitry to discharge power back to the grid. The system is able to send power back to the grid with >95% efficiency, making it a more economical solution by decreasing the net energy consumption of the system. This also helps facilitate the overall cooling process by reducing heat dissipation. 

The discharge power is also cleaner than before with the total harmonic distortion as low as 3%. 

  • Customizable to meet your needs

There are multiple auxiliary options that can be added to the RBT system to fit your testing needs. Extra options would allow users to better monitor individual cells within a pack. Temperature measurement channels and temperature chamber interfaces are available, which would give users more flexibility in measuring and controlling temperature during testing. CAN-bus communication is an option to test battery packs with integrated Battery Management Systems, which can help communicate valuable messages to the MITS Pro software. Digital or analog input/output modules can further help control testing procedures.

A comprehensive system that provides easy to use features greatly facilitates the testing process. High-power dynamic applications especially require strong and power-efficient equipment to conduct meticulous and rigorous testing and ensure safe procedures.

Lithium Ion Battery Market Primed for More Exciting Growth

With climate change concerns increasing, the automotive and transportation industries are rapidly evolving to meet the needs of the environment.

Electric vehicles (EVs) are continuing to innovate and evolve thanks to the revolutionary technology of lithium ion batteries, and this continued march toward more widespread utilization is driving unprecedented growth in the lithium ion battery market.

EVs and The Lithium Ion Battery Market By the Numbers

The electronic vehicle industry is rapidly growing. In 2018, the number of electric cars increased dramatically by two million to 5.1 million globally. Norway, which accounts for nearly half of the market share, leads the way, but other countries and global corporate juggernauts are joining the EV revolution.

These companies and conglomerates are pushing for electric vehicles because of the impact they have on the environment and they’re effective cost return. This push is exemplified by Amazon, which recently ordered 100,000 delivery vehicles from Rivian, a startup focusing on the EV market. These vehicles are expected to be in action by 2030.

And this boom in the production and use of EVs is bringing the lithium ion battery market along with it.

In fact, a Global Market Insights study recently projected that the market would be worth an eye-popping $76 billion by 2026, highlighting the rapid rate at which the market is booming.

But what, specifically, is driving all this growth?

Key Drivers of the Lithium Ion Battery Market

In particular, three main factors are pushing this ballooning market. First, the sheer integration innovations being made possible will require a larger battery market. Consumer electronics and other devices are being integrated with vehicles in unprecedented ways, and manufacturers need solutions to ensure these integrations are not only successful but are as energy efficient as possible.

Second, the cost of batteries is under constant pressure to become cheaper, and research and development activities are underway across the globe to make that possible. This is attractive to battery manufacturers, and it could ultimately lead to vast increases in production.

Finally, lithium ion batteries offer higher energy density, meaning they offer higher power with minimal weight. This is, for obvious reasons, attractive to the growing EV market.

Tangible Evidence of this Growing Market

Several major market developments exemplify this growth.

These include:

  • Several large moves in early 2016, including a $100-plus million investment by Johnson Controls aiming to expand production capacity and Panasonic Corporation’s joint venture with Dalian Levear Electric Co. to manufacture automotive batteries
  • The invention of a new lithium ion battery technology by Bosch in late 2015 leading to lighter weight solutions for smaller vehicles, which could impact the EV market

Leading the Way in Testing these Batteries and Keeping Pace with Unprecedented Growth

As the lithium ion market continues to expand and batteries need to be produced at a breakneck pace to keep up with the global push toward EVs, properly testing these battery solutions will be critical.

Arbin Instruments is the industry’s leader in this area and is committed to innovating testing solutions that allow for this accelerated pace of production.

To learn more about how Arbin is at the leading edge of the EV and lithium ion revolution, visit https://www.arbin.com/.

Recyclable/Non-Toxic Batteries

IBM researchers work in the IBM Research Battery Lab to combine and test unique materials and formulations for more sustainable battery technologies. [source]

Most commercial batteries have some metals inside of them. Common battery types like lithium-ion, lead-acid, or nickel-cadmium contain a range of heavy metals. While not all batteries are equally toxic, certain materials within them can pose concerns on health, safety, and the environment, especially if they are not disposed of properly and open and leak into the soil.

Metals inside batteries can be recovered, recycled, and reused to a certain extent depending on the material. However the recycling process can be complicated, arduous, and unprofitable. As the demand for energy storage continues to rise, there has been exploration into creating non-toxic and easily recyclable alternatives. From materials extraction to disposal, the ideal solution would be one that is sustainable and environmentally friendly from start to finish.

What’s so toxic about batteries?

Batteries are generally harmless while sealed. They can be touched and handled safely if the structure of the batteries hasn’t been compromised. However, when exposed to the body or to the environment, the metals found inside the batteries can be harmful.

Lithium-ion batteries are relatively safe on their own. Two heavy metals, nickel and cobalt, are commonly used in them as part of the cathode. In small amounts they are harmless. However, with the sheer number of batteries reaching end-of-life and being thrown away, the accumulation of metals can become toxic and dangerous to people and the environment. Moreover, because they are flammable, they can also be a fire hazard. 

In Europe, li-ion batteries cannot be thrown into landfills because of toxicity and the danger of explosion.

In the US, multiple recycling plants have caught fire because of these batteries. When the batteries are underneath the weight of other waste, the cells can become damaged, triggering a thermal runaway event, eventually catching fire. Waste fires in landfills can also be extremely hard to put out and can burn for years.

Lead-acid batteries have been in use in cars since the 1910s. While the process of recycling lead-acid batteries is quite matured, lead is harmful when leaked into the environment. If breathed or ingested, it can cause developmental problems especially in babies and children. Cadmium is even more toxic than lead when ingested. Prolonged exposure to the metal can cause respiratory and kidney damage.

Aren’t batteries being recycled now?

While 90% of all lead-acid batteries are being recycled, only 50% of lithium-ion are. This means that a lot of reusable materials are going to waste. Though there is incentive to retrieve high-demand and costly materials such as cobalt or lithium, the process of recycling lithium-ion batteries is not profitable. Currently, the cost of recycling is greater than the price of the retrieved materials. Besides lithium, nickel, and cobalt, the battery may also contain manganese, graphite, copper, and aluminium. Separating these materials is a long process and not all retrieved materials can be reused for batteries. Many different companies are working to refine this process especially as more and more consumer products reach end-of-life.

However, recycling batteries does not necessarily address the inherent toxicity of the materials being used. In response to this, research has been done to develop non-toxic alternatives.  Battery test equipment from Arbin plays a critical role in these efforts.  Arbin's MSTAT and LBT cell-cyclers have the precision necessary to accelerate battery materials development.

Can batteries be non-toxic?

A team of researchers at Imperial College London created a battery prototype that makes use of thin films of plastic and salt water. The prototype can charge and discharge in a matter of seconds. It’s use of low-cost, non-toxic, non-flammable water-based electrolytes makes it a safe and easily recyclable battery. 

Although the prototype currently has low energy density, because of its ability to quickly charge and discharge, they could be beneficial for applications that need a high power density but not necessarily high energy capacities. One example of this would be renewable energy grid storage. Batteries would be able to charge quickly and release energy to the electric grid when necessary.

Other research is looking into developing nickel and cobalt free batteries. This design would replace the two metals in the cathode as well as use a safe liquid electrolyte with a high flash point, reducing the concerns of flammability with batteries.

Conclusion

With the added concerns surrounding the mining of some of these metals, it is understandable why there is a push to find better energy alternatives. As the world moves towards a more sustainable and environmentally conscious society, it is crucial to use materials that fully support this mission and create a safer solution for energy storage.

How Battery Test Equipment Innovations are Accelerating Battery Development


On this episode of MarketScale’s Software and Technology podcast, host Tyler Kern was joined by Arbin Instruments International Sales Manager, Richard Rogers.
Arbin has provided testing equipment for energy storage applications large and small for over 29 years and, with a decade of experience, Rogers is uniquely qualified to highlight the ever-shifting nature of that industry and its demands.


[Link to Podcast]
In particular, cutting-edge innovations like electric vehicles and more have driven a need for adaptation in the testing industry that helps solutions keep paces with new challenges.

Arbin’s battery test equipment is at the forefront of the industry, creating high-precision testing methods that help researchers around the world develop new battery materials designed to stand up to the durability and longevity demands of new industries like electric vehicles and grid storage.

“Instead of a battery needing to last for (~1,000) cycles and last for one or two years, like in your phone, an electric vehicle battery needs to last 10 years or more, and it might need to last tens of thousands of cycles and more,” Rogers said. “(It’s the same for) grid storage applications.”

To help push the envelope on testing processes that shorten development time and encourage high precision, temperature management and more, Arbin teamed up with Ford Motors and Sandia National Lab to develop new, state-of-the-art testing equipment prepared for these modern challenges.

It’s a simple concept, Rogers said – not all test equipment is created equal, and Arbin is committed to exemplifying the best of the best.