Dovetail, as part of its development of a net zero powertrain for the retrofit of small regional aircraft (such as the Cessna Caravan) to full electric, is developing an inhouse solution for its propulsion battery.

Within that battery design, the structures holding the cells and other elements together with the ones separating the live battery module from the outside are critical in terms of design but also in terms of materials as they have to combine light weight, good structural resistance and the ability to withstand thermal runaway events without hazardous failures.

Within this research, Dovetail is looking at new material concepts and combinations that could be implemented in its battery module design to improve its gravimetric energy density, life and safety characteristics.

The research project may look into different cell holder materials to hold the cells together, different casing materials or how different combinations of materials in the case structure can provide a benefit to the overall battery design.