Abstract: According to exemplary practice of the present invention, a cylindrical secondary electrochemical cell (e.g., lithium-ion cell) includes a disk that is made of a thermally and electrically conductive material (e.g., metal material), and that lies in a geometric plane that is perpendicular to the cylindrical axis. The disk is adjacently intermediate, axially aligned with, and electrically connected to two cylindrical jelly-roll electrode components. Inventive practice is possible with respect to a variety of cell types, shapes, and chemistries. Depending on the inventive embodiment, the numbers of disks (?1) and jelly-roll electrode components (?2) can vary, each disk serving to augment heat transport in the radial direction. An inventive cylindrical cell thus affords superior heat spreading in the direction radially outward, 360 degrees, from the central axis of the cell.

Abstract: The present invention, as frequently practiced, represents a methodology for carrying out thermal management testing. Inventive practice provides desired temperature characteristics without incurring the safety risks associated with Lithium-ion batteries. An exemplary inventive device includes a spiral-wound electrical resistance heater, and simulates the heat generation profile within a Lithium-ion cell through the use of the resistance heater. The construction of the resistance heater is tailored not only to mimic the localized heating profile of the Lithium-ion cell of interest, but also to match thermal properties of the Lithium-ion cell (such as radial thermal conductivity, axial thermal conductivity, and heat capacity). An exemplary inventive device is constructed out of inert materials and hence is inherently safe to carry out thermal management testing, thereby obviating the need for expensive and time-consuming safety qualifications.