Battery Systems Group
Our world-leading battery systems research
WMG’s extensive, multi-disciplinary capabilities extend right across the value chain from raw materials to industrial application to end-of-life. Battery Systems Engineering is a key area of expertise in which we work with industry at WMG’s £90m Energy Innovation Centre.
Our research in battery systems focuses on improving energy density, charging efficiency, and overall performance. The group collaborates with industry partners and contributes to advancements in battery technology, which is crucial for the transition to sustainable energy solutions and the electrification of transportation.
Watch this space for new cutting-edge research and development initiatives, including sustainable practices such as battery recycling.
We also have lots of research degree opportunities, contact us today.
About our research
The Battery Systems Group have three core capabilities:
Physical and Data Driven Modelling
WMG’s mission is to lead energy storage innovation through cutting-edge battery modeling expertise. Our expert team specialises in advanced techniques optimising battery performance and application, enhancing efficiency, and expediting next-generation energy storage technologies across many sectors and applications.
Leveraging comprehensive capabilities spanning microstructure and material insights through to cell, pack, and finally vehicle/ system predictions, WMG ensures high accuracy and efficient, effective functionality. Models are meticulously developed and validated via extensive data generated from WMG’s considerable R&D activity. Contact us today to find out more about our modelling expertise.
Experimental Methods
WMG supports its modeling with rich experimental and real-world data, covering battery performance and degradation characterisations, fast techniques for used battery modules, battery diagnostics algorithms, new test setups, and efforts to reduce error and uncertainty in testing for next-gen battery technologies.Smart Cells: Sensing, Communication and Control
WMG’s vision is to transform the lithium-ion battery from a passive component into a mechatronic device, through the integration of sensing, communication, and control hardware directly within the cell at the point of manufacture.
Smart cells will modulate or isolate the electrical current flowing through the terminals as well as measure key internal variables, both temporally and spatially, such as electrode potentials, current density, temperature, mechanical stress, and gas pressure.
Smart cells will have localised control and communication hardware without adding integration complexity through the use of wireless or powerline data transfer.
Contact us to find out more about our smart cell capabilities.
Focus areas
The core capabilities of Battery Systems Engineering at WMG underpins our expertise in 4 domains:
Design, Manufacturing, and Sustainability
WMG has significant industrial experience in designing, developing, building, certifying, and putting HV batteries and power cells into service within an OEM environment and on industrial-led research programs.
Safety and Mitigation
The WMG has over fifteen years of experience in battery safety and abuse testing, working with major OEMs and associated supply chains in multiple sectors. WMG’s team of senior experts provides an unparalleled depth and breadth of knowledge and experience in this increasingly important area of battery research, matched by cutting-edge facilities, and understanding of the latest regulatory and policy requirements.
Characterisation and Benchmarking
WMG boasts one of the UK's largest and most diverse battery test facilities, with over 15 years of operational experience. Our comprehensive expertise covers aging, safety testing, rig design, iterative processes, powertrain and systems testing, teardowns, integration, validation, verification, and vibration and shock testing.
Battery Management Systems (BMS) and Electrical Systems
WMG works to advance BMS and ES technology, improving cell usage and efficiency and reducing the amount of battery content required. Our capabilities include SoX algorithm design, hardware deployment, system calibration and verification, model development, BMS verification, architectural design and analysis of battery concepts and high voltage designs, and novel power systems testing methodologies.
Research that generates impact
Explore the solutions that we create and the impact that we generate in response to societal, industrial and environmental challenges.