Engineering and development service provider, FEV, has unveiled its latest venture aimed at advancing battery cell testing. The company has inaugurated a new battery cell laboratory at its Aachen site, with operations set to commence before the close of 2023.
The primary focus of this state-of-the-art facility will be the thorough analysis and benchmarking of battery cells, with a keen emphasis on performance, longevity, and safety characteristics. Additionally, the laboratory will facilitate cell development initiatives, as indicated in a statement by the company. Operations are expected to kick off later this year.
FEV’s on-site team will be responsible for disassembling and analyzing battery cells on behalf of clients, crafting prototype cells, and conducting comprehensive safety assessments and material tests. This comprehensive approach enables a meticulous evaluation of various aspects of battery cells, including the characterization of materials, examination of chemical composition, processing, and electrochemical behavior. Moreover, the laboratory will conduct tests to assess the electrical behavior of the cells. If requested, the safety behavior of battery cells under misuse scenarios, such as thermal runaway, will also be thoroughly examined. These evaluations encompass performance, service life, safety behavior, internal structure, and material composition—critical aspects for battery system design, cell design, and cell simulation.
The acquired data, along with information on previously tested battery cells, will be stored in a dedicated cell database. This repository will significantly expedite and secure the battery system development process. Importantly, this new laboratory complements FEV’s existing battery cell test benches in Munich and France, which primarily focus on electrical cell characterization.
Michael Stapelbroek, Vice President of Electric Powertrain at FEV, emphasized the pivotal role of battery cells in electric vehicle success, stating, “The cell is a key component for the performance of battery systems and thus crucial for the success of electric vehicles and applications. That’s why it is of great importance to understand the composition and behavior of the wide variety of battery cells in detail. The completion of our new battery cell laboratory in Aachen once more underlines FEV’s innovative strength and leading position in the field of electromobility and battery systems, including cell development.”
