Small Format Fractional Calorimetry

Calorimetry is a critical technique for studying thermal runaway in lithium-ion cells by precisely measuring the heat generation, temperature rise, and energy release during failure events. Using specialized calorimeters, researchers can subject cells to controlled conditions to assess their thermal stability and failure mechanisms. Understanding the thermal behavior of lithium-ion cells through calorimetry is essential for enhancing battery safety in high-risk applications, including aerospace, defense, and electric vehicles.

The Small-Format Fractional Thermal Runaway Calorimeter (S-FTRC) measures thermal response during cell-level thermal runaway events. The calorimetric techniques involved in S-FTRC testing aid in the characterization of lithium-ion cells based on total energy yield estimates and the fractional distribution of energy released from thermal runaway. This characterization allows direct comparison of thermal runaway events across a multitude of cell chemistries and formats to inform Li-ion battery design and techniques for passive propagation resistance (PPR).