Thursday, February 27, 2025

Tech Detects Lithium-Ion Batteries Using Magnetic Sensors

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Researchers of University of Tsukuba have created a magnetic sensor system that verifies lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) by detecting differences in their internal structures and current flow patterns.

Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) are essential to modern technology, powering everything from smartphones to electric vehicles. However, the rise of counterfeit and non-original equipment manufacturer (OEM) batteries has sparked serious safety concerns, including fire hazards. Since LIBs now follow standardized shapes, visually distinguishing genuine batteries from counterfeits has become nearly impossible. While traditional authentication measures like QR codes, certification marks, and IC chips exist, these safeguards are increasingly vulnerable to duplication, making fraud detection more challenging.

To address this issue, researchers at the University of Tsukuba have developed a magnetic sensing technology to verify battery authenticity. Originally designed to detect fuel cell failures, this method utilizes magnetic sensors to analyze internal structures and current pathways. The system measures the magnetic field generated during charging and discharging by simply attaching a magnetic sensor to a battery’s exterior. This unique fingerprint allows it to accurately differentiate between genuine and counterfeit batteries and identify individual cells and multiple batteries connected in series.

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Looking ahead, the research team aims to refine the technology to authenticate batteries embedded within complete modules and distinguish between batteries of identical structure or those experiencing wear and degradation. If successfully commercialized, this innovation could revolutionize battery safety by offering a reliable, tamper-proof solution to one of the energy storage industry’s most pressing challenges.

References: ‌Eto, A., et al. (2025) Evaluation of lithium-ion batteries with different structures using magnetic field measurement for onboard battery identification. Green Energy and Intelligent Transportation. doi.org/10.1016/j.geits.2025.100257.

Akanksha Gaur
Akanksha Gaur
Akanksha Sondhi Gaur is a journalist at EFY. She has a German patent and brings a robust blend of 7 years of industrial & academic prowess to the table. Passionate about electronics, she has penned numerous research papers showcasing her expertise and keen insight.

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