Interior view of the climate chamber with integrated battery test holder
Interior view of the climate chamber with integrated battery test holder for testing round cells with individual temperature monitoring and electrical connections to the battery cycler
Glove boxes for battery production under dry argon inert atmosphere
The development of battery electrodes with increased safety by means of cost-effective manufacturing processes as well as the cyclization and component design are the main focus of the work in the battery laboratory of the Institute of Technical Thermodynamics
The large-scale battery facility run by the Institute of Engineering Thermodynamics in Stuttgart allows for the complete analysis of different battery types, including various configurations in terms of cost, availability of materials and safety, across the entire development process, from material through to operating strategy.
The Battery Laboratory of the German Aerospace Centre (Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt; DLR) allows the complete analysis of batteries. Individual battery components (electrodes, electrolyte, intermediate layers, separators, etc.), separate battery cells and battery packs are produced here, and their properties characterised.
Batteries on the test bench
Methods of characterisation range from typical battery tests, such as determining the charge/discharge capacity and charge level, through to user-specific testing. Battery load tests using standardised or randomly selected, realistic load profiles for mobile or stationary applications may, for instance, be carried out at different temperatures, charge levels and discharging or charging rates.
In addition, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and shutdown measurements are conducted to gauge reaction and ageing mechanisms under different conditions and states. This pinpoints critical battery conditions, allowing a safe operating strategy to be devised for particular applications.
Besides further improving the energy and power density and durability, key development goals include reducing costs across the entire process chain and achieving a high level of safety for battery systems in all of their operating states.
Contact
Volker Speelmann
Head of Research Infrastructures
German Aerospace Center (DLR)
Executive Board department for Innovation, Transfer and Research Infrastructure
