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Phil Kollmeyer's Battery Research Group

Facilities

Our facilities are designed to support students and researchers with cutting-edge tools and laboratories, enabling groundbreaking work from early-stage concepts to advanced testing and analysis. Explore how our resources empower innovation and drive the future of sustainable transportation.

Overview

Our battery labs at MARC are equipped with a range of tools that enable advanced research in battery technology and electric vehicles.

Expandable List

Outside of the McMaster Automotive Resource Centre (MARC) building with large glass windows and the MARC logo in the front, highlighting the facility.Location:  
200 Longwood Rd. S, Hamilton, ON L8P 0A6

 

Features:
  • Powertrain Tester Three-Machine Dyno, High Speed Electric Machine Dyno & MARCdrive Chassis Dyno
  • MARCdrive Driving Simulator
  • SoftAuto Laboratory
  • Energy Storage Laboratory
  • Power Electronics & Motor Drives Laboratory
  • Automotive / Aerospace Electrification Laboratory
  • Motor Control & Power Electronics Laboratory
  • High Bay Laboratory

Learn more about CERC@MARC

Interior of a cell testing lab featuring four thermal chambers and various cell testing equipment. The lab is filled with machinery, including a large unit labeled 'Thermotron' and other specialized testing devices.
Our cell testing lab is located in MARC 130, inside the CMHT space.

Centre of Mechatronics and Hybrid Technologies (CMHT) Lab

Location: MARC 130 (CMHT)

 

Equipment:
  • Digatron MCT Cell Tester (8-Ch.)
  • Arbin Cell Testers (8-Ch., 16-Ch., 32-Ch.)
  • Microthermal Chamber Systems
  • 8 ft³, 16 ft³ & 144 ft³ Thermal Chambers

Learn more about CMHT

This image shows our lab located in MARC 118, which includes a thermal chamber as well as a four-wheel dyno for testing
Our pack testing lab also includes a four-wheel dyno for detailed battery pack testing

Module and Pack Testing Lab

Location: MARC 118 (CERC@MARC)

 

Equipment:
  • 20 ft³ Thermal Chamber
  • AVL E-Storage BTE160 Pack Cycler
  • J1772 Fast Charger Plug

Learn more about CERC@MARC

Two research students, Sobhika on the left and Biswanath on the right, working at a desk with two monitors. Biswanath is pointing at the Arbin control panel monitor as they make adjustments to the battery cycler schedule
Biswanath and Sobhika making adjustments to the Arbin cycler schedule

CMHT Control Terminals

Location: MARC 127 (CMHT)

 

Control Software: Arbin MITS 8.0 Pro &
Digatron Battery Manager 4

 

Control panel setup for operating the thermal chamber in MARC 118, featuring a large equipment rack on the left and a desk with multiple monitors displaying control software and security camera feeds.
The AVL Control terminal located in MARC 117

Module and Pack Tester Control Terminal

Location: MARC 117 (CERC@MARC)

 

Control Software: AVL PUMA and LYNX

Lab for current graduate course and future undergraduate and industry courses

Location: CRL 107 (Communications Research Laboratory building on main campus)

Graduate Course Outline (Winter 2025): Battery Graduate Course Outline

Equipment: Arbin 8-Channel Cyclers

LBT21084UC-0~5V-5/0.5/0.02A/0.001A-8CH-auxV-auxT-110V1P-V101

Front view of an Arbin battery cycler unit, labeled LBT21084, with input connections. The dimensions of the unit are shown as 16 inches wide and 13 inches tall. This equipment will be moved to the new teaching lab facility.
Image indicating the inputs for the Arbin cycler
Diagram showing the top view of a cycler with dimensions labeled 16 inches wide and 17 inches deep. The airflow is indicated by a black arrow pointing to the right, and a red arrow pointing to the left.
Top view of Arbin Cycler in the teaching lab.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Features:

  • Four teaching lab benches, one cycler/bench
  • 8-Ch., 5 A/Ch., 0-5 V
  • Parallel channels for 40 A
  • Cell temperature regulation (-20°C to 45°C)
Resources:

Equipment

Our state-of-the-art tools and equipment include thermal chambers for precise temperature control, advanced battery cycling equipment for detailed performance analysis, and high-power testing systems for rigorous evaluation of battery packs.

Cell Cyclers

Expandable List

8 channel Digatron cycler in lab

Digatron 8-Channel Cycler

Model#MCT 75-0/5-8ME

Location: MARC 130 (CMHT)
Features:
  • 8-Ch, 75 A/Ch., 0-5 V
  • Parallel up to 600 A
  • V/I Accuracy: ± 0.05% of full scale
Resources:
Post-doctoral researcher Qi setting up connections on the Arbin 8-channel battery cycler, adjusting cables and connectors in a laboratory setting.
Qi securing the connections for the 8-channel cycler, for testing.

Arbin 8-Channel Cycler

LBT21084-0~5V-60/5/0.5/0.02A-8CH-208V3P

Location: MARC 130 (CMHT)
Features:
  • 8-Ch., 60 A/Ch., 0-5 V
  • Parallel channels for 480 A
  • CAN interface for HIL test
  • Current range: ± 60 A, 5 A, 500 mA, 20 mA
  • V/I Accuracy: ± 0.02% of full scale
Resources:
32-channel cycler with power and temperature sensing cables installed.

Arbin 32-Channel Cycler

LBT21084-0~5V-10/0.5/0.02/0.001A-32CH–208V3P

Location: MARC 130 (CMHT)
Features:
  • 32-Ch., 10 A/Ch., 0-5 V
  • Current range: ± 10 A, 500 mA, 20 mA, 1 mA
  • V/I Accuracy: ± 0.02% of full scale
Resources:
Sobhika securing the thermocouple connections on the temperature module for the 16-channel cycler, with various cables and connectors attached to the module in a laboratory setting.
Sobhika ensuring the thermocouple connections are secured.

Arbin 16-Channel Cycler

LBT21084-0~5V-10/0.5/0.02/0.001A-16CH-120V

Location: MARC 130 (CMHT)
Features:
  • 16-Ch., 10 A/Ch., 0-5 V
  • Current range: ± 10 A, 0.5 A, 20 mA, 1 mA
  • V/I Accuracy: ± 0.02% of full scale
Resources:

Pack Cycler

Expandable List

Front view of the AVL pack tester labeled 'AVL E-Storage BTE160,' featuring blue panels with vents, a small control screen, and several danger and warning stickers on the front.160 kW AVL-E Storage BTE160

Model#GW200

Features:
  • 1-Ch., 600 A., 8-800 V., 160 kW
  • Integrated with a four-wheel dyno
  • J1772 Combo, 500 A fast charge connector
List of Functions:
  1. Battery Cycler
  2. Battery Emulator
  3. Fast Charger
  4. Bi-directional DC power supply
Resources:

 

J1772 Phoenix Contact fast charge connector being held in front of an AVL logo, indicating its use with the AVL pack tester. The background includes warning labels and control buttons.
Our fast charge connector available for use in MARC 130.

J1772 Fast Charge Connector

Location: MARC  118
Features:
  • Delivers up to 500 A of charging current.
  • Liquid cooled, bidirectional.
Resources:

Thermal Chambers

Expandable List

Arbin Microthermal Chambers:

Model# MZTC

Location: MARC 130 (CMHT)
Features:
  • Temperature Control: ±0.5°C
  • Two MZTC units – 16 total microchambers
Resources:
Sobhika placing her battery cells inside a chamber for temperature testing, with various cables connected to the chamber and an Arbin control unit displaying data on a screen
Sobhika placing her cells inside the chamber for temperature testing
Junran securing battery cells inside a microthermal chamber, with various cables connected to the chamber and an Arbin control unit displaying data on a screen.
Junran securing his cells inside the microthermal chamber.

 

Envirotronics

Model# ET8-2-1.5

This chamber is equipped with gas sensors and a CO2 fire suppression system.

Location: MARC 130 (CMHT)
Features:
  • Temperature control: ± 1ºC
  • Chamber Controller: Watlow F4T
Resources:
Lucia looking into a blue chamber with the light turned on, checking to verify the secure connections inside. The chamber features control buttons and a small display on the right side.
Lucia verifying the battery is secured.
Lucia standing beside a small blue chamber, adjusting the temperature settings on the control panel. The image provides a size comparison of the equipment.
Lucia setting up the chamber temperature.

Envirotronics Environmental Test Chamber

Model# SH16

This chamber is equipped with gas sensors and a CO2 fire suppression system.

Location: MARC 130 (CMHT)
Features:
  • Temperature control stability: ±1.1ºC.
  • Chamber Controller: Systems Plus
Resources:
Interior view of our medium chamber showing safety features and current and temp sensor wires for battery module connections.
The empty interior of the medium chamber.
Biswanath in front of the medium chamber which indicates the size. He is setting up the chamber for testing.
Biswanath securing items in the chamber.

Tenney Environmental

Model#TC20C2.0-A-F4T-B-ETO

Location: MARC 118
Features:
  • Temperature control: ± 1ºC.
  • Chamber Controller: Watlow F4T
Resources:
  • Manuals and Datasheet: Tenney
Qi standing in front of a large 20 cubic foot chamber with its door open, highlighting its size. Inside the chamber, a module is being set up for testing.
Qi beside the chamber for a size comparison.
Qi looking inside a large chamber as she sets it up for testing. The chamber door is open, and she is arranging equipment inside.
Ensuring the modules are secured for testing.
Junran standing beside our largest thermal chamber, highlighting its size. There is a caution sign in the front of the chamber identifying a test in progress.
Junran used our largest chamber to test the blade cell between -20C to 40C.

Thermotron

Model# SE-3000-6-6

Our largest thermal chamber can be controlled using temperature commands from D&V Cycler. This chamber is equipped with gas sensors and a CO2 fire suppression system.

Location:  MARC 130 (CMHT)
Features:
  • Temperature control stability: ±0.3°C
  • Chamber Controller: Thermotron 8800
Resources:
    • Manuals and Datasheet: Thermotron

      Junran securing a blade cell inside a large chamber, ensuring it is properly positioned for testing. The chamber interior is visible, with various equipment set up.
      Preparing the blade cell for testing, ensuring all connections are properly secured

 

Biswanth (left) and Junran (Right) looking into the underbelly of the large chamber, where the microcontroller is located. There is a yellow sign in front of the equipment stating 'test in progress'.
Showing how the chamber communicates with the tester (via microcontroller)
Junran (left) and Biswanath (right) in front of the large thermal chamber control panel. Junran is pointing out some of the functions of the device.
Biswanath and Junran setting up the temperature schedule on the chamber control panel

Liquid Chiller

Expandable List

Qi turning on a PolyScience chiller which is located beside the 24 square foot module test chamber in the MARC 117 lab. There is a laptop resting on top of the chiller and the chamber door is open.
Qi turning on the PolyScience chiller next to the module test chamber in preparation for testing.

1.5 kW PolyScience Liquid Chiller

Model# LS51MXA113C

Features:
  • Temperature stability: ±0.1ºC
  • 13.25 LPM (-20oC to 40oC)
  • 1.5 kW cooling @ 30oC
  • Serial control interface
  • Ethylene glycol & water (50/50 mix)
Resources:
ThermoFisher liquid chiller unit, a large gray industrial machine with vents and control panel, used for cooling applications in the lab.
ThermoFisher liquid chiller is used for precise cooling applications in the laboratory

24 kW ThermoFlex  Recirculating Chiller

Model#ThermoFlex24000

Features:
  • Temperature Stability: ±0.1ºC
  • Turbine Pump (T9) 60 Hz – 102.2 LPM @ 3.4 bar
  • -5oC to 90oC
  • Water-cooled
Resources:

Other Equipment

Expandable List

A thermal camera pointed inside a thermal chamber, with the camera screen in focus displaying temperature variations of the objects inside. The screen shows color changes corresponding to different temperatures, indicating the operation of the equipment.
Utilizing a thermal camera to test temperature inside a thermal chamber.

Flir E75 Thermal Camera

Features:
  • Temperature Stability: ± 2oC accuracy
  • 320 x 240 resolution
  • Emissivity Correction
  • Images and Video
  • ResearchIR software tool
Resources:
Sunstone Orion arc-welder with a touch screen displaying various setup options. The welder is placed on a table, and a fire extinguisher is located underneath the screen for safety.
McMaster student teams utilize the Orion 250i to build battery modules of various sizes.

Sunstone Orion 250i Arc-Welder

Location: MARC 125 (CMHT)
Features:
  • 0.1 – 250 Joules of power
  • Pulse-Arc and Resistance Technology
  • High Frequency Agitation
  • Rapid Fire Pulsing
  • Space-Saving Microscope with Optical Shutter, LED Lights, and 5x / 10x Magnification
Resources:

 

Tanks located under the trolley cart that holds the welder. The left tank contains argon gas, and the right is a fire extinguisher.
Argon gas and a fire extinguisher are located under the Orion trolley cart.
Compressed air connection inside the lab, featuring a pressure gauge and valve, used for making a direct connection to the welder.
Direct compressed air connections are located inside the lab.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A student wearing safety gloves using a parallel weld head attachment to make precise welds on a battery module. The module is held securely under the welding attachment to ensure exact placement.
Orion ‘Parallel Weld Head’ extension allows for precise control and positioning for battery cell and module welding.

Parallel Gap Weld Head

Model#WH2250A

Location: MARC 125 (CMHT)
Features: 
  • Pneumatic Air-actuation
  • Provides precision and repeatability
  • Fine control of weld pressure from 1 to 15 lbs
  • Low electrode inertia for fast follow-on pressure
Resources:

Close-up of an Orion Battery Management System unit, with visible heat sink fins and connected cables on the left side.Orion BMS 2

Features:
  • Supports 4 – 180 cells in series per BMS unit, with 25 mS cell voltage polling
  • Intelligent cell balancing
  • High immunity to EMI and other noise
  • 2x Programmable CANBUS Interfaces
  • Integrated support for J1772 quick chargers
  • Thermal management controls for battery heating and cooling
Resources: 

 

Top view of an Orion BMS Jr. 2 unit, neatly secured and connected to an external system with multiple wires.Orion BMS 2 Jr.

Features:
  • Supports 1-16 cells in series, designed for packs up to 48 V nominal, 60 V max.
  • Integrated low loss passive cell balancing to within 5 mV.
  • High resistance to EMI with accurate data polling.
  • CANBUS interface for diagnostics and integration.
  • Three thermistor inputs for temperature sensing, additional monitoring is possible via thermistor expansion module.
Resources: 
NI DAQ 9171, a compact data acquisition device with the National Instruments logo on the top surface.
NI 9171 Compact DAQ Chassis
NI 9212 on the left, and NI 9862 is on the right. Image indicates the connection ports for both modules and technical specifications are also on the labels.
Image of NI 9212 on the left, and NI 9862 on the right.

 

National Instruments DAQ Hardware

Location: MARC 130 
Features:
  • NI 9171 Compact DAQ Chassis
  • NI 9212 high accuracy isolated channel-to-channel thermocouple inputs
  • NI 9862 high speed CAN interface
Resources:

Datasheets and Manuals: Temperature Sensing and CAN Tool

Documentation and Resources

Welcome to the Documentation and Resources section of our website. Here, you will find a comprehensive collection of manuals, guides, and other important documents related to our research, facilities, and safety protocols. These resources are available for download to assist you in understanding and utilizing our equipment and services effectively.

File Access: Note that only the getting started guides are publicly accessible.  The other folders and files (sharepoint links) are only accessible to McMaster University students and employees since they contain manuals and datasheets which we do not have copyright permission to share.

Expandable List

File Name: Link:
Battery Lab Procedures and Training Battery Lab Procedures and Training
High Voltage and Energy Storage Safety Training High Voltage and Energy Storage Safety Training
Random Pulse and Multisine Drive Cycle Generator Tool Random Pulse and Multisine Drive Cycle Generator Tool
Vehicle Drive Cycle Modeling Tool Vehicle Drive Cycle Modeling Tool
File Name: Link:
Digatron Getting Started Guide Digatron Getting Started Guide
Digatron Manuals and Datasheets Digatron Manuals and Datasheets
Arbin Getting Started Guide Arbin Getting Started Guide
Arbin Manuals and Datasheets Arbin Manuals and Datasheets
AVL Getting Started Guide – Battery Cycler AVL Getting Started Guide – Battery Cycler
AVL Getting Started Guide – EV Fast Charging AVL Getting Started Guide – EV Fast Charging
AVL Manuals and Datasheets AVL Manuals and Datasheets
File Name: Link:
Thermal Chambers Manuals and Datasheets Thermal Chambers Manuals and Datasheets
Orion BMS Getting Started Guide Orion BMS Getting Started Guide
Orion BMS Manuals and Datasheets Orion BMS Manuals and Datasheets
Sunstone Welder Getting Started Guide Sunstone Welder Getting Started Guide
Sunstone Welder Manuals and Datasheets Sunstone Manuals and Datasheets