Phase (matter)

Engineering

Phase change

Materials science

Power (physics)

Electric vehicle

Mechanical engineering

Phase-change material

Thermodynamics

Physics

Thermal management of electronic devices and systems

Organic chemistry

Thermal

Automotive engineering

Chemistry

Meteorology

Engineering physics

Journal of Power Sources

Battery thermal management is necessary for electric vehicles (EVs), especially for Li-ion batteries, due to the heat dissipation effects on those batteries. Usually, air or coolant circuits are employed as thermal management systems in Li-ion batteries. However, those systems are expensive in terms of investment and operating costs. Phase change materials (PCMs) may represent an alternative which could be cheaper and easier to operate. In fact, PCMs can be used as passive or semi-passive systems, enabling the global system to sustain near-autonomous operations. This article presents the previous developments introducing PCMs for EVs battery cooling. Different systems are reviewed and solutions are proposed to enhance PCMs efficiency in those systems.

Electric vehicles batteries thermal management systems employing phase change materials