Key bit
“Unlike traditional heat pipes, pulsating heat pipes diffuse heat through the vibration and circulation of refrigerant inside ultra-thin tubes,” EV Magazine reported. “The method offers more than 10 times the heat transfer efficiency of standard aluminium, effectively moving heat from overheated battery cells to cooling blocks, even under the high demands of a moving vehicle.”
Since ultrafast charging superheats EV batteries, cooling the cells is critical. So, Hyundai’s tech places the heat pipes between cells, reducing the risk of overheating by keeping internal temperatures throughout the battery stable.
So basically switched from passive to active cooling?
No, not at all. Every modern EV already has an actively cooled battery. In almost all cases it’s liquid cooled, and in some older EVs it’s air cooled.
The only mass produced EV without an actively cooled battery was the first generation Nissan Leaf, which is the reason why they have notoriously bad battery degradation (which left a lasting impact on the reputation of EV battery reliability).
Many EVs can even use the heat generated by the battery to help the heat pump heat up the cars interior during winter. Hyundai were the first with that technology in the 2020 facelift of the Ioniq Electric and Kona Electric, and Tesla implemented the same tech 3 years later with their “octovalve”
A sort of self-excited active cooling, yes.
There are large-scale devices where gas starts vibrating when you add heat. The best known from physics lab experiments is the Rijke tube and the oldest is probably the “Kibitsu no kama” (a rice cooker of specific proportions which was used by monks in Japan for fortune-telling). These produce considerable quantities of audible sound, and they are fun toys…
…but in this case, the spontaneous oscillation of coolant at a microscale seems to speed up heat transfer magnificently. Not just fun, but very practical. A great number of tiny heat engines, with no moving parts but the working fluid, with the goal of transfering heat away from its source.
Really cool thanks for the insight! My concern was with more moving parts like pumps etc. it also is more prone to failure. But this sounds like all the benefits without the downsides.
I was wondering why they weren’t actively cooling batteries if heat is the killer. I guess the inovation is weight reduction of the cooling tech.
Yes, pretty much all EVs have some form of active cooling these days
As the owner of a 2020 ioniq ev:
- active cooling is already a thing
- range effects are minimal
- issues with viscosity changes to coolant as a result of temperature variation has resulted in 2 (warranty covered) coolant flushes
- haven’t had any issues since but we haven’t had a hot day since my last service
It’s imperfect but the fact they built a system at all is why I’ve had zero range attenuation in the 4 years I’ve owned it. If you keep the cells happy and comfortable they will stay that way (usually).
The system they are referring to in this post is a substantial upgrade to what they already equip their vehicles with.
- issues with viscosity changes to coolant as a result of temperature variation has resulted in 2 (warranty covered) coolant flushes
- haven’t had any issues since but we haven’t had a hot day since my last service
Yes, I have had the same issue in my 2020 Ioniq. The car actually got recalled for this reason and they changed the coolant to a different one. Most likely this was done the last time you got a coolant flush, if not it will be done the next time you get your car serviced. The new coolant completely eliminates the issue
Kool, that’s what I figured. Does not really directly affect range but helps with battery longevity when fast charging.
In the example of the guy you replied to it does actually help with range, but only in winter. The 2020 Ioniq can use the heat of the battery to help the heat pump heat the interior of the car, significantly reducing the range drop you experience during winter.
Does not really directly affect range
Correct. Not in a way that changes anybody’s plans. Absolutely not to the degree that the popular narrative in the media implies.
Tldr; we spend less money. Road trips that once cost 60-80$ in fuel cost 5$.
Like any tool a human isn’t born with you learn to scale your trips and plans and routines to work in synergy with the tech…
…just like we did when carriages started becoming ‘horseless’
Korea is absolutely killing it with EVs. It’s a shame they also have the worst record on privacy outside of Tesla.
I’ll believe it when it comes to market. Otherwise it’s just another proof of concept lab experiment like all tech breakthrough news
