The project aims to advance the development of aluminum heat exchangers and improve battery performance in low temperatures.
Ohio-based Dana Holding Corporation (NYSE: DAN) has received two grants totaling $3 million from Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) to develop technology to improve thermal management systems for EV batteries. Temperature control is critical to maximizing battery life and reliability, especially in cold Canadian winters.
The first project aims to advance the development of aluminum heat exchangers. It focuses on improving fluxless aluminum brazing materials and process technology for manufacturing to increase process speeds, enhance cleanliness during production, and reduce cost.
The second project aims to improve battery performance in low temperatures by developing and integrating thick-film electric surface heaters directly into the battery cooling heat exchanger. For this project, Dana will collaborate with Datec Coatings of Mississauga, Ontario.
The work will be completed at Dana’s technology center in Oakville, Ontario. Both projects are part of NRCan’s ecoENERGY Innovation Initiative, and are expected to last about three years.
“Our government is investing in innovative clean energy technologies that create jobs, generate new economic opportunities and protect the environment,” said Joe Oliver, Canada’s Minister of Natural Resources. “This program demonstrates our tangible support for energy projects that drive energy innovation.”
“Dana is excited to work with NRCan on this important issue as we aim to increase the life and operating reliability of batteries, which will lead to greater market adoption of electric vehicles,” said Dwayne Matthews, President of the Dana Power Technologies Group. “We will be using these grants to build on our foundational knowledge of electric-vehicle thermal systems to help achieve higher levels of efficiency.”
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