At the 2023 Sensors Converge Conference and Expo, Fierce Electronics and Sensors Converge jointly presented the Best of Sensors Awards to acknowledge remarkable achievements in the sensors industry. A panel of industry professionals reviewed entries for their innovation, their market value, and their ability to address critical challenges in the industry. There are 14 categories of the award, each focusing on a different part of the industry. This year, Amphenol Advanced Sensors won the award in the Emerging Tech category for its Thermal Runaway Sensor.
Thermal runaway is a dangerous phenomenon that happens when a lithium-ion battery fails, leading to an internal reaction that generates heat and causes chemical decomposition of the cell. This process can escalate rapidly, resulting in the release of flammable gasses and potential ignition. This can be dangerous in electric vehicles and produce an extremely hot and dangerous fire. Early detection of this phenomenon is critical to ensure the safety of an EV and its occupants.
Current technology to detect thermal runaway uses current, voltage, and temperature readings. These values are dependable and accurate, but only at detecting when a battery has already experienced catastrophic failure. A cell could rupture without impacting temperature, current, or voltage enough to register, and a fire could be your first indication of battery failure.
Amphenol Advanced Sensors' Thermal Runaway Sensor is designed to detect flammable gasses vented during this type of battery cell failure in lithium-ion batteries. This sensor provides fast and accurate detection of thermal runaway within seconds of the initial battery cell vent. It quickly identifies whether the event is contained or expanding to adjacent cells by monitoring various physical aspects of the cell ejecta plume within the battery enclosure. Rapid detection of a thermal runaway event allows the battery management system to take quick countermeasures to protect both the battery and the vehicle occupants.
The technology employed in the Thermal Runaway Sensor measures a range of critical parameters: humidity, temperature, pressure, and hydrogen and CO2 concentration. The combination of these real-time measurements allows the sensor to detect a battery thermal runaway event within an EV battery as soon as the signs are present.
The Thermal Runaway Sensor is a versatile solution that offers fast detection of cell venting, regardless of battery cell size, electrochemistry, and pack configuration. It also can be used as a standalone device or integrated into a battery management system architecture. The compact form factor of the Thermal Runaway Sensor allows it to be easily installed in tight spaces within the battery pack or enclosure. It has also been designed and tested to provide reliable and accurate performance for an extended period of up to 20 years.
Amphenol Advanced Sensors is a leading innovator in advanced sensing technologies and embedded measurement solutions, specializing in providing critical information for real-time decisions in industries like the transportation, healthcare, and industrial markets. The company's portfolio includes brands such as Thermometrics, NovaSensor, Telaire, Protimeter, and Kaye. Amphenol Advanced Sensors is a member of the U.S.-based Amphenol Corporation.
To read more about the Best of Sensors 2023 Awards and see the full list of finalists, check out this article.