Hexagon and Fraunhofer ITWM accelerate new battery design with electrochemical simulation solution
Summary
Hexagon’s new electro-chemical battery design solution integrates Fraunhofer ITWM’s Battery and Electrochemistry Simulation Tool (BEST) solver within Hexagon’s Digital Materials suite, enabling efficient multi-physics exploration of cell designs while accounting for effects from manufacturing processes. Much of this complex process has historically relied on trial and error, but through our partnership with Fraunhofer ITWM we believe we can help R&D teams pursue better performing battery cell designs, and develop them faster with rapid feedback from prototypes.” Subham Sett, Vice President Multiphysics at Hexagon added: “Battery performance and quality are competitive differentiators, particularly in the automotive market. We’ve invested in our thermal management and runaway simulations, and with this new addition we believe we can help manufacturers get a more holistic view of these multiphysics interactions on their journey to shift left in the design process.” Dr. Jochen Zausch, Fraunhofer ITWM commented : “We have enjoyed an excellent technical collaboration to bring our highly trusted BEST battery electrochemistry solver capabilities into Hexagon’s innovative material modelling software, and we look forward to helping drive forward new battery innovation faster with this comprehensive simulation workflow.” The new solution integrates Frauenhofer ITWM’s BEST solver into Hexagon’s Digimat material behavior modeling software – part of its HxGN Digital Materials suite. From a single user interface, users can simulate the electrochemistry of a cell’s constituent microstructure, electrolyte, separator, active material, binder, and current collector for common lithium-ion cell configurations, as well as zinc and sodium battery chemistries, using Fraunhofer ITWM’s advanced electrochemical modelling techniques. Additionally, battery design teams can apply their microstructure model developed in Digimat to further investigate mechanical property characterization.