The proliferation of electric vehicles (EVs) is imperative for a promising future for sustainable transportation. However, the industry faces a critical challenge in ensuring the safety of EV battery systems, particularly concerning thermal management and fire prevention. Thermal runaway occurs when battery temperatures escalate uncontrollably, poses a significant hazard to both vehicle occupants and surrounding infrastructure.
Current thermal management solutions often rely on thick, dense, and brittle fire barriers, adding weight, cost, and complexity to EV designs. To address this challenge effectively, industry and academia must collaborate to pioneer innovative solutions that enhance safety without compromising performance.
We invite innovators from industry and academia to develop a seamless fire barrier specifically engineered for application directly onto aluminum coils that will become part of an electric vehicle battery systems. This heat-activated barrier should demonstrate the ability to mitigate thermal runaway events by swiftly containing and suppressing fires within the battery compartment.
Deadline: April 30, 2024
Up to $50,000 based on evaluation of proposal, with additional potential funding for further development.