Hyundai Mobis has unveiled an innovative battery cell cooling material designed to prevent overheating during the ultra-fast charging of electric vehicles. The company aims to commercialize this cutting-edge technology, dubbed the ‘Pulsating Heat Pipe’ (PHP), to enhance its competitiveness in the future mobility market.
Composed of aluminum alloy and refrigerant, the PHP is strategically placed between battery cells to regulate internal temperatures that rise during rapid charging. This system is expected to significantly reduce EV charging times by providing a stable thermal management solution capable of withstanding intense heat.
Heat pipes, widely used in devices like computer CPUs and smartphones, are highly efficient thermal conductors. The pulsating heat pipe further optimizes this concept by using refrigerant vibrations and circulation to diffuse heat, offering over ten times the heat transfer performance of standard aluminum. Unlike conventional systems, PHPs are unaffected by gravity, making them ideal for high-speed moving vehicles.
Hyundai Mobis has successfully integrated these PHPs into battery modules (BMA), transferring heat from individual cells to cooling blocks, thereby maintaining a stable internal temperature. The company utilized a press manufacturing process to enable large-scale production, reducing costs and simplifying manufacturing.
The PHPs, with a thickness of just 0.8mm—significantly slimmer than standard heat pipes (approximately 6mm) are designed for seamless integration into vehicle batteries.This breakthrough aims to promote the widespread adoption of electric vehicles by enhancing battery performance and safety during ultra-fast charging.
