Abstract
The rapid electrification of aerial transportation is driving the need for high-performance Li-ion batteries that can operate reliably under stringent thermal and safety constraints. The unique mission profile of electric Vertical Take-off and Landing (eVTOL) aircraft necessitates a focused investigation into the thermal behavior and safety characteristics of these batteries. In this study, operando isothermal microcalorimetry is employed to examine the thermal evolution of Li-ion batteries under cycling conditions representative of eVTOL operations. These findings reveal that high-power discharge events—such as those during take-off and landing—shift the thermal response toward exothermic behavior, in contrast to the typically endothermic response expected under near-equilibrium cycling conditions. Additionally, the results suggest that advanced electrolyte formulations may help suppress excess heat generation, thereby improving battery safety. Notably, the calorimetric results exhibit a distinct thermal signature associated with lithium plating, offering a potential diagnostic for detecting Li plating during eVTOL operation. Overall, this study demonstrates the utility of isothermal microcalorimetry as a valuable tool for assessing thermal risks in Li-ion batteries for eVTOL applications, and highlights the importance of targeted design strategies to mitigate safety hazards during high-power demand scenarios.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Article number | e03292 |
| Journal | Advanced Energy Materials |
| Volume | 15 |
| Issue number | 47 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Dec 16 2025 |
Funding
This research at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, managed by UT Battelle, LLC, for the US Department of Energy under contract DE-AC05-00OR22725, was sponsored by the US Army DEVCOM Army Research Laboratory and was accomplished under Support Agreement 2371-Z469-22. The views and conclusions contained in this document are those of the authors and should not be interpreted as representing the official policies, either expressed or implied, of the DEVCOM Army Research Laboratory or the U.S. Government. Rahman would also like to acknowledge the support from the Laboratory Directed Research and Development Program at Oak Ridge National Laboratory. Notice of copyright: This manuscript has been authored by UT-Battelle, LLC, under contract DE-AC05-00OR22725 with the US Department of Energy (DOE). The US government retains and the publisher, by accepting the article for publication, acknowledges that the US government retains a nonexclusive, paid-up, irrevocable, worldwide license to publish or reproduce the published form of this manuscript, or allow others to do so, for US government purposes. DOE will provide public access to these results of federally sponsored research in accordance with the DOE Public Access Plan (https://www.energy.gov/doe-public-access-plan). This research at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, managed by UT Battelle, LLC, for the US Department of Energy under contract DE‐AC05‐00OR22725, was sponsored by the US Army DEVCOM Army Research Laboratory and was accomplished under Support Agreement 2371‐Z469‐22. The views and conclusions contained in this document are those of the authors and should not be interpreted as representing the official policies, either expressed or implied, of the DEVCOM Army Research Laboratory or the U.S. Government. Rahman would also like to acknowledge the support from the Laboratory Directed Research and Development Program at Oak Ridge National Laboratory. : This manuscript has been authored by UT‐Battelle, LLC, under contract DE‐AC05‐00OR22725 with the US Department of Energy (DOE). The US government retains and the publisher, by accepting the article for publication, acknowledges that the US government retains a nonexclusive, paid‐up, irrevocable, worldwide license to publish or reproduce the published form of this manuscript, or allow others to do so, for US government purposes. DOE will provide public access to these results of federally sponsored research in accordance with the DOE Public Access Plan ( https://www.energy.gov/doe‐public‐access‐plan ). Notice of copyright
Keywords
- Li plating
- Li-ion battery
- eVTOL
- heat evolution
- high-power discharge
- microcalorimetry
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