Advancing the Electric Revolution: An Examination of Chip-on-Cell Technology for Sustainable Electric Vehicle Batteries
Batteries play a crucial role in our contemporary society, supporting the advancements and reliance on technology. These devices provide energy for a wide range of applications, including cellphones, laptops, electric cars, and renewable energy storage systems (ESSes).
The competition to electrify our globe, particularly in the transportation sector, is in full gear. With the growing prevalence of electric vehicles (EVs) in circulation, a significant proportion of their batteries will inevitably reach their end of life. The aforementioned circumstance imposes a significant obligation upon us to guarantee that these batteries do not pose an environmental threat but rather are appropriately retrieved, used, and recycled within the framework of a circular economy. The progress of stationary energy storage systems (ESSes) depends on using data management methods that are reliable, efficient, and safe. As these systems get more complicated, they need more complex communication links to ensure safety and improve battery performance. This creates more places where things could go wrong.
The sustainability of an electric vehicle (EV) battery is enhanced by its extended lifespan, enabling its cells to be reused for reuse in other EVs or for other energy storage applications. Additionally, the battery may be recycled, with its constituent elements removed and utilized in the production of new batteries.
Nevertheless, the intricate task of overseeing the well-being, efficiency, and security of these batteries poses a multifaceted dilemma. Traditional wired and wireless battery management systems (BMSes) possess intrinsic limitations, notwithstanding their partial effectiveness. In light of these issues, Dukosi‘s chip-on-cell technology has emerged as an innovative option for monitoring battery cells.
Battery Management Systems
Conventional wired battery management systems (BMSes) encompass a complex arrangement of physical cabling, which establishes interconnections between each individual cell inside a battery pack and a central controller. The intricacy of the wiring increases proportionally with the number of cells in a battery pack. The inclusion of extra wire not only results in heightened weight and possible areas of failure, but also presents difficulties in terms of the installation, maintenance, and troubleshooting processes of the Battery Management System (BMS). One more thing that can affect the flexibility of battery pack designs is a complicated wiring system. This is because the need to accommodate the wiring may limit the arrangements or enclosures that can be used for battery cells. Additionally, when something goes wrong, the troubleshooting process can be hard to do and take a lot of time because each wire and connection point has to be carefully checked and tested.
In contrast, a wireless battery management system (BMS) presents a more efficient methodology by obviating the necessity for the aforementioned physical interconnections. This streamlines battery pack designs and diminishes the accompanying weight. Nevertheless, the implementation of a wireless methodology has its own unique set of obstacles. Signal interference might manifest as a result of diverse exterior origins or even from different constituents within the identical system, potentially compromising the precision and dependability of data transmission. In addition, wireless networks possess inherent vulnerabilities to cybersecurity risks, since unauthorized actors may endeavor to intercept or manipulate the sent data. Additionally, it is imperative to maintain a continuous and dependable wireless communication system to prevent any disruptions that may result in inaccurate readings or hazardous operating conditions for the battery pack. Basically, a wireless battery management system (BMS) makes up for some of the problems with a wired system by adding a whole new set of problems that need to be solved in order to make sure that battery management is safe and effective.
Dukosi’s chip-on-cell solution
Globally, the circular economy is gaining popularity for its capacity to reduce waste and resource depletion, and encourage innovation, sustainability, and economic growth. This approach emphasizes maximizing resources and recovering, reusing, and recycling items and materials.
This technique is gaining interest in battery technology, particularly EV batteries. As EVs become more common, battery disposal becomes an environmental issue. The circular economy offers a solution and an opportunity.
An EV battery that stops powering a car is not necessarily dead. It may have a lot of energy storage potential for different uses. This is second-life usage. An outdated EV battery can be used as an ESS for renewable energy systems, grid support, and home and business power.
However, reusing these batteries is difficult. Complex EV batteries have cells with their own histories and health statuses. To use these batteries properly, you must understand and examine each cell.
The introduction of legislation such as the “Battery Passport” under the EU Green Deal reflects an acknowledgment of the necessity for enhanced supervision and traceability. While they presently focus on the full battery, the eventual necessity is clear: cell-level traceability. There are several straightforward causes for this phenomenon. The achievement of genuine sustainability and optimal reuse is contingent upon our comprehensive comprehension of the condition and historical background of every individual cell.
Dukosi, a technical enterprise that employs an alternative approach to cell monitoring, offers a captivating and thought-provoking solution. The Dukosi system collects lifetime data on each cell-monitor chip, which gives us useful information about cell health, usage history, and strange events.
Dukosi asserts that the use of their chip-on-cell monitoring technology enables the extension of battery lifespan and the optimization of its operational efficiency through the placement of a specialized technology-on-Chip (SoC) on each individual cell within the battery. The chip-on-cell technology has the capability to maintain traceability over the complete life cycle of individual cells. The integration of the chip, ideally during the cell-manufacturing phase, triggers the commencement of automated data recording. This process captures a broad range of information that is crucial for evaluating the cell’s health and safety condition. The recorded data is then stored throughout the whole lifespan of the cell.
Batteries consist of several cells, and in order to maximize their efficiency, it is necessary to continuously monitor each individual cell. Dukosi’s platform enhances this notion by seamlessly incorporating the DK8102 cell monitor into each individual cell. This enables the acquisition of a comprehensive understanding of the functioning and circumstances of individual cells in real time.
The DK8202 module, which is integrated into the core Battery Management System (BMS), establishes communication with the various cell monitors. When NFC technology is used, it makes contactless communication easier, which reduces the problems that come with traditional wired or wireless networks.
Ensuring safety is of utmost importance in the management of batteries. The Dukosi system is capable of gathering real-time data pertaining to many parameters, including voltage, temperature, and state of charge, for each individual cell. In addition, the DK8201 performs other diagnostic checks in order to ascertain the dependability of the system. Instantaneous detection of any irregularities in individual cells results in immediate alerting of the Battery Management System (BMS).
The utilization of the DK8102 during the cell-manufacturing phase streamlines many processes involved in the process of battery fabrication. The efficiency of the entire process is enhanced, starting with the design phase and extending to the testing phase. Furthermore, electric vehicle makers acquire a more comprehensive comprehension of the performance of individual cells during their lifespan.
Each individual cell that is equipped with the DK8102 possesses a distinct identification, which guarantees the maintenance of data consistency and accuracy throughout the whole system. This identification comprehensively tracks the complete life cycle of the cell, encompassing its utilization and any potential occurrences it may encounter.
The Dukosi solution has a notable characteristic of flexibility. The contactless communication system functions by utilizing a singular bus antenna, which may be customized to accommodate various battery sizes and configurations. The above architecture makes it possible to avoid having to completely redesign battery packs while still catering to a wide range of markets. This speeds up deployment and lowers costs.
The platform developed by Dukosi exhibits versatility by accommodating several types of batteries and chemistries, rather than being restricted to a singular option. The technology has sufficient adaptability to provide integration with several cell forms, including prismatic, pouch, and cylindrical cells. The wide-ranging applicability of the technology renders it a scalable solution for various applications.
Dukosi provides extensive assistance to individuals seeking to utilize their technologies. A wide array of materials is provided, encompassing assessment kits as well as comprehensive documentation. In addition, it is worth noting that Dukosi’s technology is in accordance with the Battery Passport 2026 standards set by the European Union. This alignment underscores Dukosi’s commitment to encouraging sustainable practices, including the reuse of cells and the responsible procurement of materials.
About The Author
