New Delhi, Jan 24 (NationPress) The Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR), an independent institute under the Department of Science and Technology (DST), has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Dreamfly Innovations, a company based in Bengaluru, to innovate advanced thermal materials specifically designed for aviation batteries.

Through this collaboration, the two entities aim to create advanced thermal materials and thermoelectric devices that will enhance thermal management (storage and conversion) within aviation batteries.

This partnership is set to tackle existing challenges through innovative materials development, translating foundational materials research into practical, reliable thermal technologies for aviation platforms in the real world.

According to the Ministry of Science and Technology, “This collaborative effort merges JNCASR's expertise in materials design, synthesis, advanced characterization, and thermal transport measurement with Dreamfly Innovations' proficiency in aviation battery engineering and system integration.”

Thermal management is a significant hurdle for high-energy-density lithium-based batteries utilized in the aviation sector.

Excessive heat generation during high-power operations can diminish efficiency, shorten battery lifespan, and create safety hazards.

While passive thermal management techniques, such as Phase Change Materials (PCMs), are appealing due to their lightweight and zero energy consumption, their widespread use has been curtailed by the traditionally poor thermal conductivity of standard PCMs.

This leads to insufficient heat absorption, resulting in temperature increases and hastened degradation of battery components.

A prevalent method to address this challenge is the incorporation of high-thermal-conductivity additives to create composite PCMs.

However, these composites often face long-term stability issues, including the agglomeration of additives during repeated thermal cycles, which eventually hampers performance and reliability.

The Ministry stated, “The advanced thermal materials will be designed to achieve high thermal conductivity, enabling rapid heat absorption during high-load operations, maintaining battery temperatures within ideal operating ranges, and facilitating lightweight thermal regulation without sacrificing long-term stability.”

This collaboration unites academic research from Prof. Kanishka Biswas’ lab at JNCASR and industrial innovation from Dreamfly to confront vital challenges in drone performance, safety, and operational endurance.