Metis Engineering, leaders in CAN based sensors, today, shared details of a publication by Sandia National Laboratories in the Journal of the Electrochemical Society, that found the Cell Guard sensor detected a thermal runaway incident seven minutes quicker than other reported evaluations.
Cell Guard is a unique sensor that provides accurate and detailed information on the health of a lithium-ion battery pack to improve longevity, as well as being capable of detecting cell venting, which is an early sign of catastrophic battery failure vastly reducing the risk of fire in EVs and ESS.
Unlike current Battery Management Systems (BMS), which typically only measure temperature and voltage change, Cell Guard monitors a range of environmental parameters required to ensure that the battery continues to operate in optimum conditions. The sensor wakes when it detects Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) emitted by cell venting and pressure change. It also detects humidity, dew point and has an optional 3 axis accelerometer to record shock loads.
Sandia National Laboratories tested Metis Engineering’s Cell Guard sensor technology along with two competitors. In one test the hydrogen sensor took a full seven minutes longer to register that there had been a thermal event, by which time thermal runaway had reached an advanced stage.
“We are delighted that our Cell Guard sensor has proven its mettle against two competitors in the market in an entirely independent and third-party test,” said Joe Holdsworth, Managing Director at Metis Engineering, “Not only did our sensor detect a thermal incident in under 60 seconds, the CAN data it provides could be used to inform the driver to stop and evacuate the vehicle.”
Cell Guard aims to provide the vital extra and often overlooked data required for a more complete picture of battery pack health. This can greatly improve longevity of lithium-ion batteries and improve re-sale value of EVs by providing the used EV market much-needed information for battery passports. Developed using ISO26262 processes and certified to ISO Automotive Standards, Cell Guard is assembled in the UK under strict quality-controlled conditions to satisfy orders from a rapidly growing number of OEMs and Tier 1s where they are being used in ASIL B applications.
