Picture: CATL
CATL have launched the third generation of its CTP (cell-to-pack) technology, Qilin. It has record breaking volume utilisation efficiency of 72% and an energy density of up to 255 Wh/kg, it claims to achieve the highest integration level worldwide so far, capable of delivering a range of over 1,000km.
CATL continues to push the boundaries of innovations by focusing on the nature of electrochemistry. In 2019, CATL launched the world’s first module-less battery pack CTP, achieving a volume utilisation of over 50%.
CATL continues to redefine its battery structure design with Qilin, which was named after a creature within Chinese mythology.
The CTP 3.0 battery has many key features that we have not seen before. The internal crossbeam, liquid cooling plate and thermal pad have been integrated into a multifunctional elastic layer. It also features built in micron bridges inside the interlayer, which flexibly accommodate the changes inside the cell, improving the battery reliability throughout its full life cycle.
Furthermore, powered by its computing and AI simulations, CATL are exploring the boundaries of battery design involving the battery’s full life cycle application. The ingenious bottom sharing design allows the smart arrangement of various components including structural protection, high-voltage connection and a protective vent for thermal runaway, further increasing the battery capacity by 6%.
Another key feature is its disruptive water-cooling design. The large-surface cell cooling technology increases the heat transfer area by four times, cuts thermal control time in half, and supports a hot start in 5 minutes and fast charging in 10 minutes. It enables the cell to cool down rapidly in extreme circumstances, effectively preventing abnormal thermal conduction among cells.
The CTP 3.0 batteries, or Qilin, are expected to be mass produced and come on the market in 2023. From simulated computing in the micro world to artful streamlining inside the battery structure, CATL says they are focused on technological ingenuity and independent innovation, aiming to promote the overtaking of fossil fuel vehicles with electric ones.
