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Problem-Solving Technology from DuPont

Electrical energy storage and management are essential to take full advantage of the capabilities of new automotive electrical systems. Though lead acid batteries are the industry standard and likely will continue to play a big role for some time, new battery technologies are being introduced into automotive for the first time.

Today Nickel Metal Hydride batteries are the primary energy storage device in many hybrid electric vehicles. Lithium Ion, already widely in use in small portable consumer electronics technology and in limited use in automotive trials, has the promise of higher energy density but still faces a number of technical challenges before its widespread introduction in vehicles.

In addition to batteries, ultracapacitors -- used for rapid storage and discharge of electricity -- are also poised to play a significant complementary role with batteries because of their ability to rapidly capture electricity from regenerative braking and allowing for longer battery life.

Material Challenges

The advance of these new technologies requires new materials and new system designs. From separators to cell and housing packaging, materials for higher temperatures and chemical resistance are critical to ensure longer life, lower cost as well as high reliability and less weight for these storage devices.

DuPont offers a wide variety of polymeric materials that provide excellent thermal, mechanical, electrical and chemical resistance properties. DuPont expertise and the wide array of DuPont materials offer the component manufacturer or system integrator the kind of support needed to bring these new technologies to market.  Another technology solution from DuPont.

Related Solutions & Technology
Components
Miniaturization
In the advanced automotive electrical and electronic system, many formerly mechanical functions will be performed electrically and precisely controlled with advanced electronics, further driving the need for miniaturization.
Components
Separator/Membrane
In batteries and ultracapacitors, a permeable membrane €“ the separator €“ is central to both the function and life cycle of the devices.
Components
Thermal Management
Vehicles today are exposed to a wide range of operating conditions and environments from the cold of the arctic to the intense heat of the deserts to the high humidity of the tropics. Future higher voltage systems will increase the number of heat sources in the vehicle and new systems will generate heat in locations previously considered low-temperature areas.