New publication in the field of cell modelling – a study on causes of inhomogeneous current distribution in Li-ion batteries.

Scientists at the Institute for Electrical Energy Storage Technology – EES report on their results of various electrically cross-linked, physicochemical-thermal simulations with variable system terminal in their last publication in the Journal of the Electrochemical Society.

Within interconnected battery modules or systems, an inhomogeneous current distribution between parallel-connected cells is likely to appear. The position of the system terminals, internal connection properties or varying contact resistances cause such inhomogeneous current distribution. The extent to which each of the contributors and the interaction between them affects the current distribution within the battery module are investigated here via various electrically cross-linked, physicochemical-thermal simulations with variable system terminal. As a recommendation for the assembly of battery modules using multiple lithium-ion cells, the position of the system terminal is of minor importance compared to the presence of cross-connectors and low resistance string connectors.

On the Impact of Internal Cross-Linking and Connection Properties on the Current Distribution in Lithium-Ion Battery Modules / Markus Schindler, Axel Durde, Johannes Sturm, Philipp Jocher and Andreas Jossen / Journal of the Electrochemical Society, Vol. 167, Number 12, 120542 (2020) / open access link