JNCASR and Dreamfly Innovations Collaborate on Aviation Battery Tech

The Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR) has partnered with Bengaluru-based Dreamfly Innovations to develop cutting-edge thermal materials aimed at enhancing aviation battery technology. This collaboration, formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding on January 24, 2024, seeks to tackle the critical issues of thermal management in high-energy-density lithium-based batteries used in the aviation sector.

The initiative will focus on creating advanced thermal materials and thermoelectric devices to improve the efficiency of thermal storage and conversion within aviation batteries. According to the Ministry of Science and Technology, this partnership combines JNCASR’s expertise in materials design and characterization with Dreamfly Innovations’ knowledge in battery engineering and system integration.

Effective heat management is crucial for the aviation industry, where excessive heat generation during high-power operations can lead to diminished efficiency and shortened battery life, along with potential safety hazards. Existing passive thermal management solutions, such as Phase Change Materials (PCMs), have limitations due to their poor thermal conductivity. This inadequacy hampers their ability to absorb heat rapidly, resulting in increased temperatures and accelerated degradation of battery components.

To address these challenges, the collaboration will explore the incorporation of high-thermal-conductivity additives into composite PCMs. While this approach holds promise, it is not without its complications. Long-term stability issues, such as additive agglomeration during repeated thermal cycling, can undermine the performance and reliability of these composites.

The Ministry further stated, “The advanced thermal materials will be engineered for high thermal conductivity to rapidly absorb excess heat during high-load operation, maintain battery temperatures within optimal operating windows, and enable lightweight thermal regulation without compromising long-term stability.”

This partnership also brings together research expertise from Prof. Kanishka Biswas‘ lab at JNCASR and industrial innovation from Dreamfly Innovations. The goal is to overcome significant barriers to drone performance, safety, and operational endurance, ultimately contributing to the advancement of aviation technology.

As the aviation industry continues to seek more reliable and efficient battery solutions, the collaboration between JNCASR and Dreamfly Innovations represents a crucial step forward in addressing the pressing challenges of thermal management in aviation batteries.