BLITZ

The project deals with the fast charging of lithium-ion batteries.

The fast charging processes currently used for lithium-ion batteries are detrimental to the service life of the batteries. As part of the project, new fast-charging methods are to be developed that are both faster and more gentle on the service life of the batteries. This is being investigated using pulse charging methods. A pulsed current is superimposed on the largely constant charging current.

The HFU's task in the project is mainly concerned with investigating the heating of the batteries at low temperatures. The lithium-ion batteries currently in use must not be charged at temperatures below 0 °C, but must first be heated with additional heating elements. By applying an average-free pulsed current, the battery can be heated without an additional heater. The flowing current heats the battery from the inside without the battery being charged. As part of the project, series of measurements are carried out to investigate this heating. This involves investigating how quickly a battery heats up and what effects the heating has on the service life of the battery. Pulse profiles with different amplitudes, frequencies and signal shapes are compared.