Pin It

A new coolant for electric vehicle batteries which absorbs three times more heat than water has been developed by researchers at the Fraunhofer Institute, seen as the future in battery overheating prevention.

Named CryoSolplus, the coolant is a chemical dispersion that mixes water and paraffin along with a dash of the anti-freeze agent glycol, enabling the heat absorption capabilities.

As heat is absorbed, solid paraffin droplets inside the coolant melt, storing the heat in the process. As it cools, droplets then return to their solid form.

Compared with conventional cooling systems, which according to the researchers have not reached their full potential, the coolant does not need the big spaces required by air cooling systems and has a larger advantage over the limiting capacity of water-based coolants.

CryoSolplus also cost only marginally more expensive than water-based cooling at around 50 to 100 Euros.

Electric vehicle batteries, which provide the “fuel” for the vehicles, should not be allowed to overheat to maintain a long service life. The “comfort zone” lies between 20 to 35 degrees Celsius, but climate factors like the summer heat could surpass that range. Operating at a temperature of 45 degrees could already halve the battery’s lifespan.

The batteries are also costly – a new battery could cost as high as half the price of the entire vehicle. – EcoSeed Staff