FAMU-FSU researchers advance electric vehicle battery safety with new energy absorption design – Florida State University News

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Electric Vehicle Battery Safety

Introduction

Researchers at the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering have developed a new design to enhance the safety and performance of electric vehicles by protecting their batteries. This innovative design utilizes tubes filled with paraffin wax, a type of phase change material (PCM), which is commonly used to store and dissipate heat. The research team has explored the application of PCM-filled tubes as a means of protecting batteries from both overheating and impacts. The study’s findings were published in the journal Structures.

Protecting Against Impact and Overheating

The primary objective of this research is to manage the risk of battery damage in the event of a crash. Farhad Farzaneh, a doctoral candidate in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and the lead investigator of the study, emphasizes that this concern is crucial for ensuring the overall safety and reliability of electric vehicles. By utilizing PCM-filled tubes, the design aims to soften the impact during a crash and absorb heat, thereby maintaining a safe temperature for nearby battery cells and preventing temperature rise that could lead to a fire.

Experimental Analysis

The research team conducted experiments on thin-walled aluminum tubes with varying diameters, thicknesses of exterior metal, and end cap designs. They developed models to predict the performance of these tubes based on different parameters and verified the accuracy of these models through experiments. The results showed that tubes capped on both ends and tubes filled with PCM absorbed approximately 43% and 74% more energy, respectively, compared to unfilled tubes.

Advancing Electric Vehicle Safety

Professor Sungmoon Jung, a coauthor of the study, highlights the importance of protecting battery modules from impact loading, which is a significant risk in adopting electric vehicles. He commends Farhad’s research for finding an innovative way to combine two protective measures into one, thereby improving the safety of electric vehicles. In addition to enhancing safety during crashes, this research indirectly contributes to improving battery life by minimizing potential damage from less intense impacts or thermal issues.

Contributing to Sustainable Development Goals

The research conducted by the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering aligns with several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). By incorporating PCM-filled tubes in electric vehicle batteries, the study aims to prevent catastrophic events and enhance the overall reliability and durability of the battery system. This directly contributes to SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure, as it promotes technological advancements and sustainable infrastructure for the transportation sector. Furthermore, by improving the safety and performance of electric vehicles, this research supports SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy, and SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy

   • Target 7.2: By 2030, increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix.
   • Indicator 7.2.1: Renewable energy share in the total final energy consumption.

2. SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure

   • Target 9.4: By 2030, upgrade infrastructure and retrofit industries to make them sustainable, with increased resource-use efficiency and greater adoption of clean and environmentally sound technologies and industrial processes.
   • Indicator 9.4.1: CO2 emission per unit of value added.

3. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

   • Target 11.2: By 2030, provide access to safe, affordable, accessible, and sustainable transport systems for all, improving road safety, notably by expanding public transport, with special attention to the needs of those in vulnerable situations, women, children, persons with disabilities, and older persons.
   • Indicator 11.2.1: Proportion of population that has convenient access to public transport, by sex, age, and persons with disabilities.

4. SDG 13: Climate Action

   • Target 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries.
   • Indicator 13.1.1: Number of deaths, missing persons, and directly affected persons attributed to disasters per 100,000 population.

Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Analysis

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

The issues highlighted in the article are connected to the following SDGs:

• SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy
• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
• SDG 13: Climate Action

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

The specific targets under the identified SDGs are:

• Target 7.2: By 2030, increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix.
• Target 9.4: By 2030, upgrade infrastructure and retrofit industries to make them sustainable, with increased resource-use efficiency and greater adoption of clean and environmentally sound technologies and industrial processes.
• Target 11.2: By 2030, provide access to safe, affordable, accessible, and sustainable transport systems for all, improving road safety, notably by expanding public transport, with special attention to the needs of those in vulnerable situations, women, children, persons with disabilities, and older persons.
• Target 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

The following indicators can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets:

• Indicator 7.2.1: Renewable energy share in the total final energy consumption.
• Indicator 9.4.1: CO2 emission per unit of value added.
• Indicator 11.2.1: Proportion of population that has convenient access to public transport, by sex, age, and persons with disabilities.
• Indicator 13.1.1: Number of deaths, missing persons, and directly affected persons attributed to disasters per 100,000 population.

Behold! This splendid article springs forth from the wellspring of knowledge, shaped by a wondrous proprietary AI technology that delved into a vast ocean of data, illuminating the path towards the Sustainable Development Goals. Remember that all rights are reserved by SDG Investors LLC, empowering us to champion progress together.

Source: news.fsu.edu

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