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Rabat — Moroccan scientist Rachid Yazami has secured a new patent from the US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) for a groundbreaking method to detect early internal short-circuit signs in batteries.
The method helps detect the hazardous process of thermal runaway, one of the primary causes that can lead to dangerous fires or explosions, particularly in electric vehicles (EVs).
Yazami took to his social media to break the news and share the descriptive patent that portrays the system’s approach, which is based on real-time analysis of thermodynamic and kinetic data emanating from an electrochemical cell.
The renowned Moroccan scientist said that his team is delighted and that this invention “relates to the premature detection of an internal short circuit in a battery, which is the main cause of thermal runaway (fire, explosion, etc.).”
Yazami further expressed hopes that this new invention will contribute to saving lives from one of the most serious risks associated with batteries.
The system measures parameters such as open-circuit voltage, entropy, and enthalpy variations, thus identifying early signs of an internal short-circuit. This would contribute to preventive intervention before thermal runaways happen and lead to fire or explosions.
In the context of growing adoption of electrification in transport, the patent represents a significant contribution to battery safety in EVs.
Speaking to Morocco World News (MWN) on the sidelines of the Global Industry 4.0 2023 event in Casablanca, the scientist expressed the need for batteries to be tailored according to the market’s unique environmental conditions, where temperatures can reach over 50 degrees Celsius.
This breakthrough reflects Yazami’s ongoing commitment to improving the reliability and safety of energy storage systems. The patent was originally filed on May 28, 2019.
Read also: Moroccan Scientist Rachid Yazami Wins 2023 VinFuture Grand Prize
In January, he received his second patent from China for the same safety feature that aims to reduce the risk of EV’s batteries catching fire or exploding. He also received his first patent for the original EV battery fast-charging technology from both China and Japan.
Yazami’s inventions focus mainly on facilitating fast-charging technologies for lithium batteries used in both electronic devices and electric vehicles.
These breakthroughs are in line with Morocco’s strategy to shift to greener energy solutions, adopting renewable energy strategies that would contribute to the world’s fight against climate change.
