Thermal management vital in optimising battery performance and

extending battery life, says Dana

By: Michael Nash

Posted: http://www.automotiveworld.com/analysis/thermal-management-vital-optimising-
battery-performance-extending-battery-life-says-dana/
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Dana Holding Corporation collaborates with a number of OEMs and electronics

manufacturers on battery development for vehicles, providing a variety of different
cooling solutions. It was recently named best battery solution provider of 2015 by the
China Decision Makers Consultancy (CDMC) during the 6th annual Green Vehicles
Convention in Shanghai.
The award recognises the companys research and contributions to thermalmanagement technologies for hybrid-electric vehicles and battery-electric vehicles.
Speaking to Automotive World, Dwayne Matthews, President of Power Technologies,
Dana, described its significance and the suppliers on-going work in the battery area.
Testimony to talent
We are pleased to have our companys technological contributions in thermal
management for vehicle battery applications recognised by this award, he said. It is a
testimony to the talent and successes of our engineers and technical professionals in
working with battery manufacturers around the world.
Matthews stressed the fact that the company is not a battery manufacturer, but works
directly with battery manufacturers to provide customised components and thermal
management solutions for vehicle batteries.
The effective development of batteries for specific vehicle applications platforms
requires these customised thermal solutions. Dana works directly with battery
manufacturers to help their products achieve increasingly high standards for
performance, efficiency, and durability, he affirmed.
What sets apart the work that Dana does on batteries from its competitors? One of our
most prominent achievements is a mastery of the fluxless-brazing process, which
produces clean, high-quality components for batteries that optimise heat transfer and are
an integral part of meeting vehicle system demands, observed Matthews.
He also referred to a variety of solutions that the supplier provides: battery cooling
chillers, cold plates for batteries, cooling plates for power electronics, engine control unit

Automotive World Ltd Company registered No: 04242884

Registered Office: 1-3 Washington Buildings, Stanwell Road, Penarth,CF64 2AD | Registered in England and Wales

coolers, stator coolers, and sub-cooled loop radiators. Each and every one of these is
specifically engineered for use with vehicle electronic systems, he added.

Danas battery cooling technologies have been featured in numerous hybrid-electric

and electric vehicles, including the Chevrolet Volt, Ford Focus Electric, Ford Transit
Connect and Tesla Roadster Sport
Continued research
Matthews thinks that there is a lot to be done in the development of vehicle batteries.
Like many other experts, he suggested that range anxiety and cost are two primary
issues facing electric and hybrid electric vehicles, both of which are heavily influenced by
the battery.
These can be improved using two approaches. First, thermal management is key to
optimising battery performance and extending battery life, both of which are important
factors in increasing overall vehicle efficiency and meeting cost targets. Lightweighting,
which is also a goal for continued research at Dana, can also have a significant impact.
With these two aspects in mind, Matthews believes that Dana can find further
improvements for vehicle batteries in the near future.
Michael Nash

Automotive World Ltd Company registered No: 04242884

Registered Office: 1-3 Washington Buildings, Stanwell Road, Penarth,CF64 2AD | Registered in England and Wales