Configuring high-energy batteries that won’t catch fire

In some ways the expo floor was a showcase for ideas aimed at minimizing the possibility of high-energy cells catching fire. One of the concepts on display was the Supercell from Lion Smart GmbH. It consists of a housing in which cylindrical battery cells sit hexagonally and connected in parallel. Basically, cylindrical cells slide into cylindrical slots that hold them fast. Supercells also contain a small PCB monitoring the voltage and temperature of each cell. Once the batteries slide in place, a single metal busbar piece is positioned over the anodes and heat-welded into place to make electrical connections (the batteries are all in parallel). For cooling, fluid called Novec from 3M circulates through the framework and ensures none of the battery cells are warmer than others. If one of the cells shorts out, a fuse disconnects it. The Lion Smart system appeared at the Analog Devices booth featuring battery management electronics.
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