CamMotive, an electric powertrain development consultancy, and Thermulon, an advanced materials specialist, have been appointed technology partners in a £2 million DRIVE35 project supported by the UK government. Over the next 12 months, the two companies will collaborate with a leading British automaker to address thermal runaway in next-generation electric vehicle (EV) batteries.
Thermal runaway occurs when lithium-ion cells heat uncontrollably under fault conditions, potentially triggering a cascading reaction that can spread through a module or entire battery pack, increasing the risk of fire or explosion. In response to heightened safety expectations from global regulators and manufacturers, the DRIVE35 project aims to enhance battery system resilience by developing AEROMOTIVE, a domestically produced aerogel-based barrier solution.
AEROMOTIVE employs ultra-thin layers of highly insulating Anti Thermal Propagation (ATP) material designed to slow or halt heat transfer between adjacent cells. CamMotive will lead the creation of a comprehensive testing and validation program to assess the barrier’s performance under a range of thermal and mechanical conditions. This includes specialized prismatic cell swelling and compression tests to understand how physical stresses influence cell lifespan and safety, as well as to refine the design and placement of ATP pads.
Luke Barron, Senior Engineer at CamMotive’s Cambridge headquarters, said, “This project will deliver critical research and testing methodologies that make EV batteries safer. By advancing UK innovation in battery technology, we’re helping to accelerate the transition to safer, cleaner, high-performance electric vehicles.”
The DRIVE35 initiative is underpinned by a £4 billion commitment from the UK government, administered by the Department for Business and Trade alongside the Advanced Propulsion Centre UK and Innovate UK. Final grant allocations are subject to government approval, with the goal of reinforcing the UK’s leadership in electric mobility and battery safety.
Source: CamMotive
