Sameer Venkatesh Devipur

The news of electric vehicles catching fire spontaneously, even when stationary is something that started to gain popularity at the same time as the concept of electric vehicles themselves. While the event itself (called a “Thermal Runaway”) may seem alarming and mysterious from a non-scientific perspective, the underlying mechanisms are well understood and grounded in established scientific principles.

Much like a physician at the hospital (analogy intended), I focus on diagnosing thermal runaway in commercial Li-ion battery cells using lasers. The research employs non-intrusive, time-resolved optical techniques—such as laser-induced fluorescence, high-speed imaging, and spectroscopic analysis—to quantify critical parameters including gas composition, temperature profiles, and particle velocity distributions during the onset and progression of thermal runaway. By systematically triggering thermal runaway via varied protocols, I aim to understand the kinetics and mechanisms of gas release and reactive flow behavior during battery thermal runaway. In parallel, I integrate experimental findings with advanced computational models developed in collaboration with the Department of Energy Sciences, enhancing predictive capabilities for battery safety and performance. This work is conducted under the COMPEL initiative, which strategically strengthens Sweden’s research in battery technology and the electrification of the transport sector.