Maximizing eVTOL ROI and Second Life Utilization Through Fast Charge and Passive Thermal Management | January 21, 2025

Speaker Dr. Said Al-Hallaj, PhD, Chief Battery Scientist, Beam Global

Join us for a Lunch & Learn on Battery technologies. Dr. Al-Hallaj from Beam Global will be delivering a presentation that will cover:

“Maximizing eVTOL ROI and Second Life Utilization Through Fast Charge and Passive Thermal Management”

In recent years, a noticeable global shift towards cleaner energy sources has been observed, driven by initiatives aimed at reducing carbon emissions to address climate change and urban air pollution. Lithium-ion batteries have contributed significantly to innovation across various sectors, including transportation, renewable energy storage, and aviation. Alongside these advancements, the emergence of urban air mobility, propelled by developments in high-energy batteries, offers potential solutions to urban congestion challenges. Electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing (eVTOL) aircraft promise versatile on-demand services ranging from passenger and cargo transportation to emergency response. However, the distinct high-discharge rates of eVTOL batteries during take-off and landing compared to EVs, coupled with the need for high-energy density, present challenges to their durability and cycle life. As eVTOL technology progresses, optimizing Return on Investment (RoI) and prolonging battery lifespan become crucial considerations. 

This study adopts a comprehensive approach, integrating fast charging, passive thermal management, and machine learning techniques to enhance the financial viability and sustainability of eVTOL fleets. Our analysis demonstrates the effectiveness of fast charging in reducing downtime and maximizing utilization rates, while passive thermal management methods mitigate battery degradation and improve safety. Through the utilization of machine learning algorithms, and physics-based thermo-electrochemical models, we refine charging protocols and predict battery performance and remaining useful life (RUL), thereby optimizing RoI and facilitating the transition to a second life for eVTOL batteries. 

Said Al-Hallaj, PhD, Chief Battery Scientist, Beam Global

Said Al-Hallaj is the Chief Battery Scientist of Beam Global company (Nasdaq: BEEM), Co-founder and CEO of AllCell Technologies LLC (recently acquired by Beam Global), Founder and CEO of NETenergy, a thermal energy storage company, and a Research Professor of Chemical Engineering at the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC). Dr Al-Hallaj earned his bachelor and master’s degrees in chemical engineering from Jordan University of Science and Technology (JUST) and a PhD in chemical engineering from the Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT). Said co-authored a book entitled “Hybrid Hydrogen Systems” and has published several book chapters and numerous numbers of peer reviewed and conference journal papers with >12,000 literature citations. Said is a serial entrepreneur, and his R&D effort has led to the successful commercialization of several clean-tech technologies.