Investment in Dukosi brings new levels of intelligence to batteries

Edinburgh-based Dukosi is developing wireless technology that collects, processes and stores real-time data directly from the cell itself, and then transmits this information to allow the battery to be analysed and managed externally.

The technology could enable developers to improve the design, use and management of batteries for electric vehicles, industrial and grid energy storage applications, according to Joel Sylvester, chief technology officer at Dukosi.

“It gives you an ongoing, continuous review of what the state of that cell is: what its state of charge is; what its state of health is, and you can use that information to calculate what kind of power it can deliver,” said Sylvester.

Each chip can be attached to, or embedded within, a lithium ion cell. It has no additional wires or connectors, and uses radio frequency (RF) technology to communicate with chips in other cells.

The removal of the wiring harness reduces the weight of the pack, as well as the materials and assembly costs, said Sylvester. “It will also improve reliability, since every connection is a potential failure, and we could be removing 1000s per pack,” he said.