Scientists create chip that measures battery ‘health’

Scientists from Nanyang Technological University have developed a chip that can say something about the health status of a battery. For example, a warning can be given if there is a fire risk due to poor battery condition.

The university, which is located in Singapore, explains on its website how the chip works. A specially developed algorithm that looks at measurement patterns makes it possible to estimate whether the battery is still in good health, and if that is not the case, a timely warning can be given, according to the makers. Electrochemical and thermodynamic measurements are made to generate the patterns, but it is not clear which exactly these are. The researchers have been granted a patent for their technology, which has been in development for several years.

According to the scientists, the chip they have developed can not only estimate ‘health risks’, but it can also optimize the charging of the battery. As a result, a battery could be fully charged faster and there would be less degradation of the battery capacity.

Because the chip is very small, it can be used in almost all batteries. Commercial exploitation of the technology should begin soon, as the research leaders have set up a start-up to further develop the chip. Before the end of next year, the start-up, which bears the name KVI, hopes to start licensing the battery chip.