Research of the electrical and thermal characteristics of the LiFePO4 battery with internal short circuit fault based on experimental and simulation methods

Internal short circuit fault in lithium-ion batteries has always been a focal point due to its safety performance, particularly concerning battery thermal runaway. This paper introduces two alternative experimental methods for simulating internal short circuits in lithium-ion batteries: one entails embedding a low-melting-point alloy within button cells to initiate an internal short, and the other employs an externally attached resistive heating wire as a replacement for an internal short circuit. The former approach is further augmented by utilizing COMSOL Multiphysics® simulations to more accurately emulate the conditions during the onset of an internal short. By meticulously examining experimental observations and analyzing collected data, the two studies reveal the characteristic voltage and thermal responses of lithium-ion batteries experiencing internal short circuits. These findings contribute to discerning specific scenarios of internal shorts, thereby enhancing understanding within the field of lithiumion battery research.