Zircotec Ltd; CeraBEV – Ceramics for Battery Electric Vehicles
The CeraBEV project delivers innovative ceramic coatings with both dielectric and flameproof properties, solving thermal management and electrical insulation challenges in lightweight battery enclosures for electric vehicles. Led by Zircotec in partnership with Cranfield University, the project enhances EV safety and efficiency.
CeraBEV enables the use of lightweight materials in EV battery enclosures and cooling systems. The project has developed coatings that enhance the thermal, electrical, and safety performance of next-generation battery systems with high-performance thermally applied coatings.
The project addresses two major challenges faced by battery manufacturers and OEMs in their drive for more efficient BEVs: thermal runaway resistance in structural components and dielectric strength in cooling components of the battery system.
Project Highlights:
- Development and application of CeraBEV’s coatings, to enable the use of lighter-weight materials such as aluminium and plastic composites in the battery’s structural components without compromising safety or performance. Traditionally, heavy-duty steel enclosures are used to provide a safety barrier in the case of a thermal runaway event; however, these enclosures are very heavy and substantially add to the total vehicle weight.
- The combined high thermal conductivity and strong dielectric properties of the CeraBEV coating allow for a more efficient and optimised battery cooling system. Traditionally, electrically insulating components inside the battery system trap heat, affecting the performance and increasing the need for cooling.
Delivered in partnership with Cranfield University.