A key component of TIAX’s lithium-ion battery safety sensor system is based on a proven sensing technology that TIAX has had in the market for many years in a different application.

Safety incidents in lithium-ion batteries, while infrequent, can be hazardous for consumers and can result in expensive recalls. The primary cause of these safety incidents is short circuits inside cells, which are not present at the point of manufacture and which, to date, have been impossible to detect in the field.

The use of our sensor system provides early warning of developing hazardous conditions due to internal shorts thus enabling a range of appropriate interventions.

—Dr. Brian Barnett, vice-president at TIAX

The patent-pending technology employs sensors in combination with proprietary signal processing algorithms. It works for any lithium-ion battery chemistry. In lithium-ion cell packs it is effective over a wide range of temperatures and also in automotive duty cycles. It is low-cost and reliable. The system does not need changes in cell design, which makes it easy to incorporate it into battery systems.

TIAX is also developing an instrument incorporating this sensor that will allow battery developers to design safer, longer lasting, lithium-ion battery packs.

TIAX’s work in lithium-ion battery safety was mostly self-funded, with additional funds provided through a competitively won multi-year award under DOE’s Vehicle Technologies Program.