Murata VTC6A Fast charge of the batteries - how to charge the battery quickly without overheating the cells or causing lithium plating which could degrade the battery or cause it to catch fire.
Discover the Murata VTC6A cell, designed for fast charging in EVTOL applications, ensuring safety and efficiency without overheating or lithium plating.
Value Propositions
Cylindrical 21700 form factor for compact design.
Nominal capacity of 14.44 Wh (4.1 Ah) for reliable energy storage.
Top-quartile volumetric energy density of 578 Wh/l, +10% vs median.
Maximum continuous discharge of 40 A, ensuring high performance.
Gravimetric power density of 1981 W/kg, ideal for UAV applications.
About the Cell
The Murata VTC6A is a cylindrical 21700 cell with a nominal capacity of 14.44 Wh (4.1 Ah), making it suitable for various UAV applications. Its volumetric energy density of 578 Wh/l places it in the top-quartile compared to the database median of 542 Wh/l, ensuring efficient space utilisation in battery packs. The cell also boasts a maximum continuous discharge of 40 A, which is significantly higher than the median of 30 A, allowing for robust performance during demanding operations. Additionally, its gravimetric energy density of 199 Wh/kg is competitive, providing a lightweight solution for drone battery packs. With a standard charge current of 4.5 A and a maximum continuous charge current of 9 A, the VTC6A is designed for rapid charging without compromising safety. This cell is ideal for applications requiring high energy density and lightweight characteristics, making it a preferred choice for drone manufacturers.
Application Challenges
In EVTOL applications, fast charging of batteries is critical to ensure operational efficiency and safety. The challenge lies in charging the battery quickly without overheating the cells or causing lithium plating, which can degrade the battery's performance and safety. The Murata VTC6A addresses these challenges with its high maximum continuous charge current of 9 A, allowing for rapid energy replenishment while maintaining thermal stability. The standard charge rate of 4.5 A ensures that the battery can be charged efficiently without risking overheating. Additionally, the cell's design mitigates the risk of lithium plating, which is crucial for maintaining battery integrity during fast charging cycles. As the demand for long endurance drone batteries increases, the ability to charge quickly while ensuring safety becomes paramount, making the VTC6A an ideal solution for UAV applications.
Why this Cell
The Murata VTC6A is specifically designed to meet the demands of fast charging in EVTOL applications. With a maximum continuous discharge of 40 A, it provides the necessary power for high-performance UAVs, ensuring that they can operate effectively under load. Its volumetric energy density of 578 Wh/l is among the highest in the database, providing an efficient energy-to-volume ratio that is essential for drone designs where space is limited. Furthermore, the cell's gravimetric power density of 1981 W/kg allows for lightweight battery packs, which is critical for improving UAV flight times and overall mission endurance. The combination of these metrics makes the VTC6A an excellent choice for drone battery cell selection, particularly in applications where rapid charging and high discharge rates are required.
How Model-Based Design Helps
Simulation and model-based design play a crucial role in optimising the performance of the Murata VTC6A in UAV applications. By modelling load profiles and thermal behaviour, engineers can predict how the cell will perform under various charging conditions. This includes assessing heat generation during fast charging and ensuring that the cell operates within safe temperature limits. Additionally, simulations can help in understanding voltage sag and usable energy across different discharge rates, enabling designers to select the most appropriate cells for specific mission profiles. By leveraging cell-specific data, engineers can confidently choose the VTC6A for applications requiring high energy density and rapid charging capabilities, ultimately leading to improved UAV performance and reliability.
