Environmental testing chambers precisely control temperature in order to evaluate cell performance under specific conditions. Batteries can behave very differently at various temperatures: cold temperatures typically reduce a battery’s available capacity and power (due to slower kinetics and increased resistance), while high temperatures can increase capacity initially but accelerate. By using environmental chambers, engineers and researchers can simulate operating or storage conditions that batteries might experience: for example, winter conditions (-20°C), hot summers (40°C), or even extreme scenarios beyond typical use cases.
NOVONIX employs environmental chambers extensively in its battery testing protocols. They run cycle life tests at elevated temperatures (e.g., 45°C or 60°C) to accelerate aging and identify how cell performance degrades over time. Conversely, they test at low temperatures to ensure a cell can deliver sufficient power for, say, an EV starting on a cold winter day. By analyzing data from these tests, NOVONIX can guide improvements: for instance, NOVONIX has extensive experience with different electrolyte formulations suitable for different cell chemistries, operating temperatures and power capabilities. NOVONIX ensures that the batteries they design or evaluate will hold up across the diverse conditions of the real world.
