Michael G. Andrew

Development of advanced battery systems for vehicle applications

The Advanced Battery Business Unit (ABBU) of Johnson Controls, Inc. is developing several promising advanced battery technologies including flow-through lead-acid, zinc/bromine, and nickel hydrogen. The flow-through lead-acid technology, which is being developed under Department of Energy (DOE) sponsorship, is progressing towards the fabrication of a 39 kWh battery system. Recent efforts have focused on achieving the aggressive specific energy goal of 56 Wh/kg in 12 volt module form. Recent DOE sponsored work in the zinc/bromine program has focused on the development of a proof-of concept 50 kWh electric vehicle system for a light van application. Efforts in the nickel hydrogen program have focused on reducing system cost in order to make the life-time premium market and EV market possible targets. The status and future direction of each of these programs are summarized.

Flow-by Lead-acid - Improving the Performance Standard for EV Battery Systems

The Advanced Battery Business Unit (ABBU) of Johnson Controls, Incorporated (JCI) is working on a contract sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) for the design and development of an advanced lead-acid battery system for electric delivery vehicles. Significant improvements in specific energy on a cell basis during the last year have positioned this technology within 6% of the contract goal of 56 Wh/kg. Currently, the majority of engineering efforts are directed towards improving the cycle life of this high performance battery. This goal is proving to be the most challenging due to the transient power nature of the SFUDS testing profile which provides a more accurate simulation of an EV duty cycle than the previously utilized constant current test regime. These efforts will culminate in the fabrication of a 180 volt, 39 kWh battery system which satisfies the performance, life, and cost goals for safe and efficient electric van propulsion.

Dynamic charge acceptance and hydrogen evolution of a new MXene additive in advanced lead-acid batteries via a rapid screening three-electrode method

A methodology to screen additives in lead-acid batteries is critical. We developed a three-electrode system that can rapidly check the dynamic charge acceptance (DCA) and hydrogen evolution of electrodes. The electrode with 2% MXene and 0.2% carbon black shows a better DCA, which indicates its great potential in the start-stop technology.