53 patents in this list

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Modern electric vehicle batteries operate at energy densities exceeding 250 Wh/kg, generating significant heat during charging and discharge cycles. Temperature gradients across cell arrays can reach 15°C during peak loads, while thermal runaway events can drive local temperatures above 150°C within seconds - creating critical engineering challenges for safety and performance.

The fundamental challenge lies in developing coating systems that can both conduct heat effectively during normal operation while providing robust thermal isolation during failure events.

This page brings together solutions from recent research—including ceramic coatings with tunable thermal expansion properties, multi-layer separator designs with temperature-responsive microspheres, and novel particle morphologies for enhanced heat distribution. These and other approaches focus on practical implementations that balance thermal management with manufacturability and cost constraints in high-volume EV production.

1. Battery Thermal Management System with Microchannel Heat Sink and Thermoelectric Modules

CHINA THREE GORGES UNIV, CHINA THREE GORGES UNIVERSITY, 2024

Battery thermal management system with integrated microchannel heat sink, vapor chamber, and thermoelectric cooling/heating. The system has a housing, liquid cooling module, heat sink module, thermoelectric device module, battery pack module, power module, and control module. The heat sink module has a microchannel integrated vapor chamber for passive cooling. The thermoelectric module has ceramic plates and a semiconductor component for active cooling/heating. The liquid cooling and thermoelectric modules can work together or separately to optimize battery temperature.

2. Battery Separator with Porous Substrate Coated by Thermally Responsive Polymer Microspheres

WUHAN ZHONGXING INNOVATION MATERIAL TECH CO LTD, WUHAN ZHONGXING INNOVATION MATERIAL TECHNOLOGY CO LTD, 2024

Battery separator with improved safety and bonding properties compared to existing separators. The separator has a porous substrate coated with a thermally responsive layer containing melting point tunable temperature-sensitive polymer microspheres. At normal operating temperatures, the microspheres do not melt. But at abnormal temperatures, like during overcharge or short circuit, the microspheres melt and seal the separator pores preventing internal shorts. This avoids thermal runaway. The melting temperature tuning allows sealing at lower temperatures than pure polymer layers. The microspheres also improve cold pressing bonding strength between the separator and electrodes.

CN117855746A-patent-drawing

3. Lithium-Ion Battery Separator with Cyclophosphazene-Infused Ceramic Fire Suppression Layers

GM GLOBAL TECH OPERATIONS LLC, GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC, 2024

Separator for lithium-ion batteries with fire suppression capability to prevent battery cell thermal runaway and propagation. The separator has a microporous layer sandwiched between the electrodes, with fire suppression layers on one or both sides. The fire suppression layers contain a ceramic with interconnected pores filled with a cyclophosphazene compound. The cyclophosphazene quenches and inhibits combustion chain reactions when exposed to high temperatures, preventing thermal runaway propagation in case of battery cell failures.

CN117477170A-patent-drawing

4. Battery Separator Incorporating Temperature-Sensitive Microspheres for Pore Sealing

SHENZHEN ZIMT TECH CO LTD, SHENZHEN ZIMT TECHNOLOGY CO LTD, 2024

Battery separator and secondary battery with improved safety and heat resistance. The separator contains temperature sensitive microspheres that melt and seal the pores at lower temperatures compared to the main separator layers. This prevents internal short circuits at lower temperatures where the main layers haven't fully melted. The microspheres also improve heat resistance by melting and sealing the pores at higher temperatures. This reduces the risk of thermal runaway. The microspheres can be made of materials like polyoxides, polyethylene, polyvinylidene fluoride, ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymers.

CN117438747A-patent-drawing

5. Secondary Battery with Differential Width Separator and Ceramic-Coated Positive Electrode

XIAMEN XINNENGAN TECH CO LTD, XIAMEN XINNENGAN TECHNOLOGY CO LTD, 2023

A secondary battery design to improve heat safety and prevent thermal runaway. The battery has a separator between the positive and negative electrodes with a width ratio w where w(width of separator) > width(anode active material) > width(cathode active material). This prevents shrinkage of the separator at high temps from shorting the electrodes. The positive electrode has a ceramic coating close to the tab. The ceramic coating adhesion to the separator (a) is greater than adhesion to the film (c) while the separator adhesion (b) is greater than the ceramic adhesion (d) to the current collector. This balance prevents competitive forces between the separator and film.

CN117317386A-patent-drawing

6. Lithium-Ion Battery with Horizontal Heat Transfer Enhancement and Ceramic Separators

MATLY JACOB, ULLMANN BERND, 2023

Lithium-ion battery design for electric vehicles that eliminates the need for external cooling systems by maximizing heat transfer through the stacked battery cells themselves. The cells have discrete planar layers with larger surface area in the horizontal direction than vertical. This allows more heat transfer in the horizontal plane compared to vertical, promoting heat dissipation. The cells also use ceramic separators and solid electrolytes instead of flammable electrolytes. Additionally, external heat sinks can be added around the cells. The optimized cell design and internal heat transfer components allow adequate cooling without external coolant.

7. Battery Coating with Negative or Zero Thermal Expansion Materials and Ceramics

BYD CO LTD, BYD COMPANY LTD, 2023

Coating for batteries that improves heat resistance and prevents short circuits. The coating contains negative thermal expansion materials and/or zero thermal expansion materials, like ZrW2O8, HfW2O8, ZrMo2O8, AM2O7 (A=Th, Zr, Hf, Sn, M=P, V), along with ceramic materials and a binder. The coating is applied between the electrodes and separator to prevent fusing, piercing, and short circuits during battery operation. The negative/zero thermal expansion materials expand less than the electrodes or separator during heating, reducing thermal stress and shrinkage. The ceramic materials provide heat resistance. The binder binds the coating to the electrodes/separator.

CN116825949A-patent-drawing

8. Lithium Ion Battery Diaphragm with Dual Ceramic Layer Coating and Variable Particle Morphology

Dongguan Magic Cube New Energy Technology Co., Ltd., DONGGUAN MOFANG NEW ENERGY TECHNOLOGY CO LTD, 2023

Diaphragm for lithium ion batteries with improved thermal stability to prevent short circuiting and explosions at high temperatures. The diaphragm has a base film coated with two ceramic layers. The first layer near the film has spherical ceramic particles with a high melting point additive (>200°C). The second layer farther from the film has flaky ceramic particles with a lower melting point additive (100-135°C). The roughness of the second layer's surface in contact with the first layer is 30-900nm. This two-stage ceramic coating provides better thermal stability compared to single-layer coatings, reducing the risk of short circuiting and explosion at high temperatures.

CN114156596B-patent-drawing

9. Microporous Membrane with Oxidation-Resistant Polymer and Ceramic Coating for High Voltage Lithium-Ion Battery Separator

CELGARD LLC, 2023

Battery separator for high voltage lithium-ion batteries that can operate at 5 volts or higher without degradation. The separator is a microporous membrane with improved oxidation resistance for use in high voltage lithium batteries. It contains a novel polymer, embedded ceramic particles, and ceramic coatings to stabilize the separator at high voltages. The specific compositions and structures allow the separator to function in high energy, high voltage lithium batteries without oxidation issues or trickle charging.

10. Multilayer Battery Separator with Ceramic Microspheres and Heat-Resistant Polymer Layer

ZHUHAI COSMX BATTERY CO LTD, 2023

Battery separator with improved safety and quick charge capability for lithium-ion batteries. The separator has three layers: a ceramic layer, a heat-resistant polymer layer, and a glue layer. The ceramic layer contains microspheres with melting points between 90-130°C that close the separator before thermal runaway. The heat-resistant polymer prevents separator shrinking and breaking at high temperatures. The separator composition and design enables safe high-temperature sealing and prevents internal short circuits. Matching this separator with graphite anodes further improves charge times.

CN116435713A-patent-drawing

11. Three-Layer Battery Separator with Heat-Resistant Core and Adhesive Microporous Layers

CELGARD LLC, 2023

A heat-resistant battery separator with improved integrity and shutdown capability for lithium-ion batteries. The separator has three layers: two microporous layers sandwiched between a heat-resistant layer. This configuration provides separation and integrity at high temperatures during thermal runaway. The heat-resistant layer can be made of a high melt integrity material like polyaramid, polyimide, or polyamideimide. The microporous layers can have functional groups on their surfaces that increase adhesion to the heat-resistant layer. This prevents curling and delamination during thermal runaway.

CN116157942A-patent-drawing

12. Lithium Ion Battery with Porous Film Incorporating Rough Ceramic Particles for Enhanced Overcharge Resistance

Toyota Motor Corporation, TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA, 2023

A lithium ion battery design to improve overcharge resistance by using a porous film between the positive and negative electrodes. The porous film has an insulating ceramic containing Fe or Ni particles attached to the electrode or separator surfaces. The roughness of the ceramic particles increases their surface area and adhesion to the binder, preventing collapse of the porous film during battery shutdown. This maintains insulation between the electrodes during overcharge events and reduces temperature spikes compared to a smoother ceramic.

CN109065942B-patent-drawing

13. Separator with High-Temperature Resistant Polymer Coating for Enhanced Needling Safety in Lithium-Ion Batteries

Zhuhai CosMX Battery Co., Ltd., ZHUHAI GUANYU POWER BATTERY CO LTD, 2022

Diaphragm for lithium-ion batteries that improves needling safety and prevents thermal runaway without affecting battery performance. The diaphragm is made by coating a thin layer of a high-temperature resistant polymer like polyimide on one side of the separator. This layer melts and seals the cell when punctured during needle penetration testing, preventing internal short circuits and thermal runaway. The coated separator provides high needling safety while maintaining normal battery operation.

CN111599968B-patent-drawing

14. Method for Coating Heat-Stable Material on Battery Separator Base Film in Lithium Battery Assembly

CHAOAN LITHIUM BATTERY TECH HUZHOU CO LTD, CHAOAN LITHIUM BATTERY TECHNOLOGY CO LTD, YANGTZE RIVER DELTA RES INSTITUTE UESTC HUZHOU, 2022

Integrated preparation method for lithium battery diaphragms and batteries that improves battery safety without sacrificing capacity. The method involves coating a heat-stable material on the base film of the battery separator during diaphragm preparation. This coating provides improved thermal stability compared to the base film alone. The coated separator is then used to assemble the battery. This integrated preparation enables a single-step process to enhance battery safety without adding extra steps or materials. The heat-stable coating prevents separator contraction or fusion during high-temperature conditions, reducing internal short circuits and improving battery safety.

CN115020920A-patent-drawing

15. Lithium-Ion Battery Separator with Thermally Conductive Ceramic Filler in Porous Support Material

ZENTRUM FUER SONNENENERGIE UND WASSERSTOFF FORSCHUNG BADEN WUERTTEMBERG GEMEINNUETZIGE STIFTUNG, Center for Solar Energy and Hydrogen Research Baden-Württemberg Non-Profit Foundation, 2022

A separator for lithium-ion batteries that improves thermal management during charging and discharging cycles. The separator has an electrically insulating, porous support material containing an electrically insulating but thermally conductive ceramic filler. The filler is selected from carbides, nitrides, borides, or mixtures thereof. This allows the separator to conduct heat between the electrodes, preventing internal hotspots and improving thermal distribution compared to traditional separators. The coated separator is used in lithium-ion cells to reduce temperature gradients and improve heat dissipation during charging and discharging.

WO2022106475A1-patent-drawing

16. Ceramic Separator for Lithium-Ion Batteries with Region-Specific Porosity Coatings

ZHENG BIG NEW ENERGY TECH SHENZHEN LIMITED CO, ZHENG BIG NEW ENERGY TECHNOLOGY LIMITED CO, 2022

Ceramic separator for lithium-ion batteries with improved performance and safety compared to conventional separators. The ceramic separator has a diaphragm with ceramic coatings on specific areas. The functional area contacting the electrodes has larger porosity ceramic coatings for ion conduction and electrode isolation. The overhang areas extending beyond the electrodes have smaller porosity ceramic coatings for better thermal stability and shrinkage resistance. This provides optimized separator properties for each region to balance electrochemical performance and safety.

17. Ceramic Separator with PEO and Alumina Coating for Low Temperature Shutdown in Lithium Batteries

JIANGSU HORIZON NEW ENERGY TECH CO LTD, 2021

Low temperature shutdown ceramic separator for lithium batteries that prevents battery failures at low temperatures. The separator has a polymer porous base film coated with PEO and alumina layers. The PEO layer helps the ceramic seal at lower temperatures compared to ceramic alone. This allows the separator to close before violent battery reactions occur, preventing further cell damage. The coated separator improves safety by preventing battery runaway at lower temperatures.

WO2021248776A1-patent-drawing

18. Battery Module with Silicone-Based Wrapping for Containment and Thermal Insulation Between Cells

AUDI AG, AUDI AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT, 2021

Battery module design for electric vehicles that prevents cell rupture and thermal runaway propagation in the event of a cell failure. The module has an intermediate space between adjacent cells lined with a silicone-based wrapping material. This absorbs swelling forces and disintegrates into a stable ceramic layer at high temperatures. If a cell fails, it can't breach the module as the wrapping seals the gap and prevents gas or fire escape. The wrapping also provides thermal insulation to contain cell temperature spikes.

19. Lithium Battery Diaphragm with Multilayer Coated Separator for Enhanced Heat Dissipation

NINGDE ZHUOGAO NEW MATERIAL TECH CO LTD, NINGDE ZHUOGAO NEW MATERIAL TECHNOLOGY CO LTD, 2021

Lithium battery diaphragm with improved safety by preventing thermal runaway and explosions. The diaphragm has a coated separator film with multiple layers to dissipate localized heat. The layers are: 1) a ceramic coating on the base film to prevent shrinking, 2) a first heat-conducting coating on the ceramic surface, and 3) a second heat-conducting coating on the first coating. When a local hotspot occurs inside the battery, the first and second heat-conducting coatings rapidly conduct heat to the battery ends and case, preventing accumulation and mitigating risk of fire or explosion.

20. Lithium-Ion Battery Separator with Inorganic Oxide Particle Heat-Resistant Layer and High-Melting-Point Coating

LG Chem, Ltd., 2020

Separator for lithium-ion batteries with improved heat resistance to enable high energy density and capacity lithium-ion batteries used in applications like electric vehicles. The separator has a heat-resistant layer containing inorganic oxide particles with a high heat absorption capacity. This layer prevents ignition during short circuits and thermal runaway. It also has a coating on the oxide particles to prevent side reactions with the electrolyte. The coating has a melting point above 120°C to avoid fusing with the oxide particles. The separator has a standard separator substrate with the heat-resistant layer added.

21. Multilayer Film with Ceramic-Coated Diaphragm and Staggered Non-Woven Fabric Layers

22. Lithium-Ion Battery Separator with Heat-Resistant Film, Heat-Conductive Ceramic Coating, and Thermally Fusible Layer

23. Lithium-Ion Battery Separator with Meltable Polymer Layer for Overcharge Protection

24. Non-Aqueous Electrolyte Secondary Battery with Ceramic-Filled Intermediate Separator Layer

25. Lithium-Ion Battery with Ceramic-Particle and Crosslinked Resin Layer on Negative Electrode

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