In previous studies, current distribution analysis of LIBs using magnetic sensors has been conducted as a nondestructive failure determination method. However, this method has not yet been applied to battery identification. This study proposes the identification of individual LIBs through magnetic analysis. Magnetic fields of prismatic LIBs with varying internal structures were measured, and differences between the results were evaluated using theoretical equations and simulations.

Consequently, distinct magnetic fields were measured on the short sides of the cell for each sample. This distribution was attributed to the difference in the shape of the current collector. Even when using two cells connected in series to simulate a LIB module, a similar trend was observed in the magnetic field distribution. Magnetic sensors were utilized to measure the magnetic field characteristics of different internal structures of LIBs and reproduce relative relationships in the simulations. These results suggest that individual LIBs can be distinguished by strategically positioning magnetic sensors. The proposed system could serve as fundamental technology for identifying individual battery modules.

Japanese government has set the goal of achieving carbon neutrality by the year 2050[1]. Electric vehicles (EVs) do not emit greenhouse gas emissions compared to the internal combustion vehicles. Therefore, the automobile industry is promoting the use of EVs [2] as a part of its efforts to reduce these gas emissions. In Japan, the target for passenger car sales is set to be 100% EVs by 2035, including fuel cell vehicles. France and the United Kingdom have policies to ban the sale of gasoline and diesel vehicles by 2040. Global automakers are moving forward with plans to expand the supply of EVs [3]. This has led to an increase in the market for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), which are typically used for EVs [4]. Read the full article at Science Direct.