Empowering the EV revolution with next-gen battery materials & additive formulas
Steve Chen, director of global future mobility for Lubrizol, explores how advanced chemistries are unlocking a new level of performance, safety and sustainability in electric vehicles.
Globally, the electric vehicle( EV) market is shifting into high gear. By the end of the year, 59 million EVs are projected to be on the road worldwide— a figure expected to approach 330 million by 2035 and showing 19 % average annual growth through that period, according to data from S & P Global Commodity Insights.
While adoption lags in the US, the Chinese and European markets are charging ahead, reshaping their car pool and infrastructure. This transition is forcing all industries, especially those in the transportation and materials supply chain, to adapt rapidly.
Advancing EV technology and adoption takes all industries working together to push the boundaries of innovation. We must consider not only how our innovations affect all parts of vehicle design and performance but also how they impact our planet and the sustainability targets of all parties involved.
Companies with real difference-maker potential serve a variety of industries— from healthcare to electronics, beauty, footwear, energy systems and more. It is imperative to use learnings from other industries to inform formulations for the automotive industry, creating a unique system that enables a rapid approach to innovation.
Advancing EV technology brings many engineering challenges and opportunities. Improving power density, reducing fire risks and enhancing battery life cycle are just a few of the challenges the industry must solve for widespread EV adoption. Chemistries such as hyperdispersants, thermoplastic polyurethane( TPU), chlorinated polyvinyl chloride( CPVC) and hydrocarbon fluids among others are being used to address these issues.
Enhancing battery safety & longevity
Incidents of fires in EVs are often attributed to thermal runaway, a process that occurs when a battery cell becomes overheated, leading to a rapid sequence of reactions. Once set in motion, it leads to uncontrollable temperature spikes, explosions and the release of toxic gases. This is a well-known risk in lithium-ion batteries, and a critical obstacle to the long-term safety and sustainability of EVs.
Preventing thermal runaway starts with managing heat. Because this reaction is often initiated by excessive temperatures, effective thermal management is not just about performance – it is a matter of safety. That is why cooling systems are crucial to an EV’ s operation, and direct immersion cooling is the future.
Unlike traditional cooling systems that rely on hardware-heavy cooling plates and limited contact with battery cells, direct immersion cooling involves a dielectric fluid, such as Lubrizol’ s Evogen TM1000 series, physically surrounding each battery cell, immediately dissipating heat at the source. This technique allows battery cells to uniformly cool and contain the onset of heat build-up.
Because the fluid is dielectric, it does not conduct electricity, making it safe to be in direct contact with energised components. Once the fluid absorbs heat, it is pumped through a heat exchanger or radiator system, where the heat is released. The cooled fluid then returns to the battery pack.
Direct immersion cooling represents a significant leap forward for modern EV systems. First, it improves heat transfer, making batteries more efficient and safer for drivers. These fluids are also compatible with a variety of component materials, preventing corrosion and chemical breakdown that could compromise battery system longevity.
Direct immersion cooling is also more sustainable: uniform cooling means better battery life and performance over time. Lastly, using a fluid keeps hardware out of landfills and generates less waste over the lifespan of the vehicle.
ESTABLISHED 1981