Molicel P28A Battery for EVTOL: Weight v Power Trade Off in Pack Design - How to Pick the Right Balance
Discover the Molicel P28A battery, optimised for EVTOL applications, balancing weight and power for superior drone performance.
Value Propositions
Cylindrical 18650 form factor for compact design.
Nominal capacity of 10.08 Wh, ideal for UAV applications.
Top-quartile volumetric energy density at 589 Wh/l.
Maximum continuous discharge of 35.0 A for high performance.
Gravimetric power density of 2625 W/kg for efficient energy use.
About the Cell
The Molicel P28A is a cylindrical 18650 lithium-ion cell designed for high-performance applications, particularly in UAVs and EVTOLs. With a nominal capacity of 10.08 Wh and a nominal charge capacity of 2.8 Ah, it offers a robust solution for drone battery design. The cell features a volumetric energy density of 589 Wh/l, placing it in the top-quartile compared to the database median of 541.67 Wh/l, which is crucial for applications requiring lightweight and compact battery solutions. Additionally, its gravimetric energy density of 210 Wh/kg aligns with the median, ensuring a balanced approach to energy storage. The cell supports a standard charge current of 2.8 A and a maximum continuous charge of 8.4 A, which is essential for rapid charging scenarios. Furthermore, the maximum continuous discharge current of 35.0 A, which is in the top-quartile compared to the median of 30 A, allows for high power demands during operation, making it suitable for demanding UAV applications.
Application Challenges
In the context of EVTOL and the weight versus power trade-off in pack design, selecting the right battery is critical. UAVs require batteries that not only provide sufficient energy for extended flight times but also maintain a lightweight profile to enhance performance. The Molicel P28A addresses these challenges effectively. With its high energy density, it allows for longer endurance in flight, which is essential for applications such as long endurance drone batteries and heavy lift drone batteries. The challenge lies in ensuring that the battery can deliver the required power without overheating or compromising safety. This is particularly important in extreme environments where thermal management becomes a key factor in battery performance. The Molicel P28A's design mitigates these risks, ensuring reliable operation across various mission profiles.
Why this Cell
The Molicel P28A is specifically designed to meet the demands of EVTOL applications, particularly in balancing weight and power. Its maximum continuous discharge of 35.0 A ensures that it can handle high power draws, which is essential for UAV battery optimization and drone powertrain efficiency. Additionally, the cell's volumetric energy density of 589 Wh/l, which is +9% vs the database median, allows for a compact design without sacrificing performance. This is crucial when designing UAV battery packs, as it enables engineers to maximise flight time while keeping the overall weight low. The gravimetric power density of 2625 W/kg further supports this, providing efficient energy use that is vital for extending drone flight time and improving UAV mission endurance.
How Model-Based Design Helps
Simulation and model-based design play a pivotal role in optimising battery selection for UAV applications. By modelling load profiles, thermal behaviour, and voltage response, engineers can predict how the Molicel P28A will perform under various conditions. For instance, simulating the thermal rise during high discharge scenarios helps in understanding the cell's limits and ensuring it operates safely within those parameters. This approach allows for accurate predictions of usable energy and battery performance testing, which is essential for applications requiring reliable operation in extreme environments. Furthermore, by using cell-specific data, engineers can make informed decisions about the best batteries for drone endurance, ensuring that the selected cell meets the specific needs of the mission profile.
