FAQ

Reconfigurable battery packs dynamically adjust internal connections, voltage, current distribution, and power output.  Unlike conventional fixed packs, they isolate faulty cells, balance power loads, and respond to dynamic energy demands. These capabilities are increasingly important for electric vehicles (EVs), as well as renewable energy storage and smart grid infrastructure. This article explores the key functions…

Lithium plating is the deposition of metallic lithium on the surface of the anode in a lithium-ion battery. The process is considered one of the most severe aging mechanisms in these types of batteries, and it can shorten the battery’s life and rapidly reduce its capacity. This article will discuss how anode design, anode materials,…

This article examines the primary functions of reconfigurable EV battery packs, concentrating on technologies such as active switching, selective balancing, and dynamic load management.

After decades of iteration, the lithium-ion battery industry faces a fundamental crossroads. While chemistries and materials have evolved, the core battery architecture has remained largely unchanged since its introduction more than 30 years ago. But as demand grows for safer, more affordable, and higher-performing batteries, especially for electric vehicles (EVs), cracks are beginning to show…

Lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries are becoming a preferred power source for off-highway and ground support equipment as industries push toward cleaner, more efficient operations. The first part of this series examined the broader shift away from internal combustion, along with the growing need for durable charging infrastructure in outdoor environments. In this part, we focus on…

As the material handling and ground support equipment sectors embrace lithium-ion batteries and outdoor charging infrastructure, they need battery connectors designed with innovative sealing and thermal management solutions in mind. This is the first part of a two-part article exploring the shift to Li-ion technology and its implications for connector design. The next part will…

Electrolyte additives can help extend the life of electric vehicle (EV) batteries by stabilizing the electrode-electrolyte interfaces and mitigating the adverse side reactions that cause battery degradation over time. This article focuses on how a few specific electrolyte additives affect the lifespan of EV batteries. Improving battery lifespan with electrolyte additives One primary way electrolyte…

Automotive manufacturers rely on thermal interface materials (TIMs) to prevent overheating in electric vehicle (EV) batteries. TIMs improve thermal regulation across traction packs by optimizing heat transfer between key components and supporting effective dissipation. This article discusses where and how TIMs are applied in EV battery packs to enable faster, safer charging, maximize range, and…

Batteries are a key element in electric vehicles (EVs), and there has been a lot of development in solid-state and other EV battery chemistry. This FAQ will highlight the promising materials that align with solid-state and other EV batteries, making them suitable for EV batteries. Material advances in solid-state batteries In solid-state batteries, sulfide, oxide,…

This final part of the multipart FAQ will explain the mechanical assembly and soldering process used to make joints during electric vehicle (EV) battery production. Although these two mechanisms are somewhat primitive in nature, they still find applications for making low-cost EVs where the makers do not have access to automation and advanced technologies. Mechanical…