top of page

Amprius SA30 Drones Safety and risk management - particularly around overheating and thermal runaway during flight.

Explore the Amprius SA30 cell for drones, designed for safety and risk management, ensuring optimal performance and reliability during flight.

Value Propositions

  • Pouch form factor for lightweight design.

  • Nominal capacity of 87.72 Wh and 25.8 Ah.

  • Volumetric energy density of 699 Wh/l, top-quartile vs median.

  • Gravimetric power density of 1299 W/kg, +72% vs database median.

  • Maximum continuous discharge of 103.2 A, top-quartile vs median.

cell (45).png

About the Cell

The Amprius SA30 cell features a pouch form factor, optimised for drone applications with a nominal capacity of 87.72 Wh and 25.8 Ah. Its volumetric energy density of 699 Wh/l places it in the top-quartile compared to the database median of 541.67 Wh/l, making it an excellent choice for long endurance drone batteries. Additionally, the gravimetric energy density of 324.89 Wh/kg is significantly higher than the median of 210 Wh/kg, providing lightweight solutions for UAV battery pack design. The cell also boasts a volumetric power density of 2796.3 W/l, which is among the highest in the database, ensuring efficient power delivery during critical flight operations. With a maximum continuous discharge of 103.2 A, this cell is designed to handle high discharge rates, crucial for demanding drone applications.

Application Challenges

In the realm of drones, safety and risk management are paramount, particularly concerning overheating and thermal runaway during flight. The Amprius SA30 cell addresses these challenges by providing a robust energy solution that maintains performance under various conditions. The high energy density ensures that drones can achieve longer flight times, which is essential for missions requiring extended operational periods. Furthermore, the ability to manage thermal conditions effectively is critical in preventing battery failures, especially in high-stress environments. The design of the SA30 cell allows for efficient thermal management, reducing the risk of overheating and ensuring safe operation during demanding missions.

Why this Cell

The Amprius SA30 cell is specifically engineered for drones, with metrics that align perfectly with the challenges of safety and risk management. Its maximum continuous discharge of 103.2 A positions it in the top-quartile compared to the median of 30 A, allowing for high discharge rates necessary for UAV applications. The volumetric energy density of 699 Wh/l, which is +29% vs the median, ensures that drones can carry more energy without increasing weight, thus enhancing flight endurance. Additionally, the gravimetric power density of 1299 W/kg, which is +72% vs the median, supports rapid power delivery, essential for maintaining performance during critical flight phases. These attributes make the SA30 an ideal choice for custom UAV battery packs, ensuring reliability and efficiency.

How Model-Based Design Helps

Simulation and model-based design play a crucial role in optimising the performance of the Amprius SA30 cell for drone applications. By simulating load profiles and thermal behaviour, engineers can predict how the cell will perform under various conditions, including high discharge rates and extreme temperatures. This predictive capability allows for the selection of the most suitable cell for specific missions, ensuring that drones can operate safely and effectively. For instance, modelling heat generation and voltage response helps in understanding the thermal dynamics of the cell, which is vital for preventing overheating and ensuring safe operation. Furthermore, simulation enables accurate predictions of usable energy, allowing operators to make informed decisions about mission feasibility based on battery state of charge (SoC) and environmental conditions. This level of analysis is essential for enhancing UAV battery performance testing and optimising drone powertrain efficiency.

bottom of page