Battery Dynamics, headquartered in the Gate Technology and Startup Center, develops specialized battery testing devices that enable industry to determine the aging behavior of their battery systems more quickly and accurately. Battery lifespans of over 20 years and optimal fast-charging strategies are in demand. Founder Peter Keil has now been awarded the 2020 Bavarian Energy Prize for his work. The award recognizes his doctoral thesis on the aging of lithium-ion batteries in electric vehicles, which he wrote as a researcher at the Technical University of Munich (TUM).
The jury was impressed by his extensive studies, which covered both the operation and stationary phases of an electric vehicle. Peter Keil developed new analysis methods that make it easier to detect and differentiate between aging reactions on the positive and negative battery electrodes.
Optimized charging strategies for electric vehicles
His series of measurements enabled him to identify optimal temperature conditions for the lithium-ion batteries during charging and discharging operations and during rest periods. In his doctoral thesis, the researcher shows that regenerative braking does not lead to accelerated battery aging, even at low temperatures. Another focus of his research is the charging of the Batteries Here he provides strategies on how charging of electric vehicles can be optimized so that battery aging remains low despite high charging speeds.
With his findings, he wants to contribute to the optimal adjustment of battery management systems and thus achieve longer battery life in electric vehicles.
"I am particularly pleased that my research results are not gathering dust on a bookshelf, but are being taken up by many researchers and developers around the world."
says Peter Keil, which also draws a connection to his current work:
“I also regularly use the analytical methods developed in my doctoral thesis in my company to investigate the aging behavior of various batteries in more detail.”
