EU research project Marbel is developing a lightweight battery with higher energy density and shorter charging times to accelerate the mass-market rollout of electric vehicles
The EU research project Marbel aims to develop a lightweight battery with higher energy density and shorter charging times. Specifically, a new compact, modular, weight-optimized, high-performance battery pack with longer life and higher energy efficiency.
According to the Fraunhofer Institute for Machine Tools and Forming Technology (IWU), one of the keys lies in metal foam. This simplifies thermal regulation, reduces the weight of the battery, and is highly shock-resistant.
Metal foam in batteries has these advantages
IWU is part of a project of 16 research partners and has contributed knowledge on lightweight construction and passive temperature management of batteries. For over 20 years, the Functionally Integrated Lightweight Structures segment has been working on the technology and application development of honeycomb metal (also known as metal foam).
According to the IWU, the material structures already used in series production in machine tool construction have outstanding properties. They are light and absorb a lot of impact energy in a crash. In particular, metal foams combined with phase-change materials (so-called PCMs) should enable passive thermal management of batteries. This reduces the energy required for cooling and thus increases the driving range, explains Christian Hannemann, Marbel project manager at Fraunhofer IWU.
Metal foam prevents breakdowns in accidents
On the one hand, the metal foam structure that underlies the battery casing should be able to quickly transfer excess heat into a storage medium, such as wax already stored in the battery structure. On the other hand, according to IWU, this structure protects the battery from external influences and protects it from potentially dangerous failures in the event of an accident.
Post time: Jan-28-2022
