A recent study led by Xiaoyong Gu from the Jiangsu Engineering Research Center of New Energy Vehicle Energy Saving and Battery Safety at the WUXI Institute of Technology presents significant advancements in battery thermal management systems (BTMS) for electric motorcycles. Published in the journal “Case Studies in Thermal Engineering,” this research highlights the critical role of effective thermal management in enhancing battery performance and extending the driving range of electric vehicles.
The study proposes a novel BTMS that integrates air cooling and phase change materials (PCM) to optimize battery temperature regulation. The researchers analyzed various factors influencing battery temperature, including the height and thickness of the PCM and the velocity of the cooling air. Their findings reveal that while increasing PCM thickness and air velocity improves heat dissipation, these enhancements yield diminishing returns. Notably, the optimal PCM height was determined to be 35 mm, balancing effective cooling with cost efficiency, resulting in a BTMS cost of just 0.073 USD per battery.
Gu emphasizes the importance of precision in battery temperature prediction, stating, “With cost minimization as the objective, ensuring that the maximum battery temperature remains below a threshold is crucial for battery longevity and performance.” To achieve accurate temperature predictions, the study introduces a sophisticated model combining the Black Kite Algorithm, Convolutional Neural Network, and Self Attention mechanisms. This model demonstrated impressive accuracy, with a maximum error of only 0.45 °C on validation data, effectively forecasting temperature changes during the PCM melting process.
The implications of this research are significant for the energy sector, particularly as the demand for electric vehicles continues to rise. Improved thermal management systems can enhance battery life and performance, making electric motorcycles more appealing to consumers and potentially increasing market share against traditional vehicles. Additionally, the cost-effective nature of the proposed system presents commercial opportunities for manufacturers looking to innovate and reduce expenses.
For those interested in further details, the research can be accessed through the WUXI Institute of Technology’s website at lead_author_affiliation. This study not only advances the scientific understanding of battery thermal management but also paves the way for practical applications that could transform the electric vehicle landscape.