Adaptive Current-Collector Electrochemical Systems (ACES)
Adaptive Current-Collector Electrochemical Systems (ACES)
PARC is developing an intrinsically safe battery architecture for high-assurance military applications. Utilizing thin film electronic components, the flow of current is controlled locally so that the battery’s output stays within safe limits at all times.
Today’s high energy density batteries often cannot be used for high-assurance military applications due to their inherent risks, and always require layers of safety protection. PARC is developing an intrinsically safe battery architecture that tunes behavior at the local, internal electrochemical level to ensure that overall battery output is controlled under any condition.
Adaptive Current-Collector Electrochemical Systems (ACES)
PARC’s ACES technology draws on our long-standing expertise in advanced battery structures and printed electronics. The adaptive current collector is made of embedded printed electronics components such as sensors, drivers, and current control circuits so that the conductivity is locally measured and controlled throughout the battery electrodes.
When the current or temperature of part of a cell exceeds a prescribed threshold, the adaptive collector reduces the flow of current for that local area. Under the opposite conditions, when an area of diminished conductivity is detected within a cell due to manufacturing impurities or aging effects, the collector increases conductivity for that region so that the battery stays at the optimal performance level. These controls are operational in both charging and discharging cycles. Based on preliminary analyses, we estimate that a 25% reduction in the weight and cost of a battery can be achieved with ACES technology.
Additional information
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We’re continually developing new technologies, many of which are available for Commercialization.
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