Case Study: Tianjin Institute of Power Sources achieves faster, safer lithium‑ion battery design and major test-cost savings with Comsol

Tianjin Institute of Power Sources - Customer Case Study

The Tianjin Institute of Power Sources, a national battery testing and standards lab in Tianjin, China, needed to understand and prevent thermal runaway in lithium‑ion cells without relying on costly, dangerous, and time‑consuming physical tests. To pinpoint which factors most affect cell safety, the researchers turned to Comsol and used COMSOL simulation models to study coupled thermal and electrochemical behavior.

Comsol provided 3D coupled heat‑transfer and electrochemical models that matched experimental exothermic peaks and reproduced thermal runaway, allowing the institute to optimize electrode geometry and materials. By using Comsol models, the team cut experiments from hundreds to about ten (each costing roughly $300), reduced weeks of testing to hours of simulation, and achieved substantial time and cost savings while improving safety insights.

Tianjin Institute of Power Sources

Songrui Wang

Tianjin Institute of Power Sources