Electrical/Electro-Chemical Power Sources Technical Support Services

Test and Evaluation. R&D services and related consultancy services. Research services. DES Tech EG requires technical support on Electical/Electro-Chemical Power Sources and Systems (batteries & allied technologies).

Support includes:

• Technical Advice. Expertise with primary, secondary & reserve battery chemistries is required together with control electronics, fuel cells, super-capacitors & energy/power conversion devices.

• Product Test & Evaluation. Versatile, high volume test capabilities are required for assessment of in-service items, emerging products & technologies. Product evaluation may be applied to specification validation, hazard assessment, UN Dangerous Goods Transport Tests & fault investigation. The facilities will evaluate single items or batches to a broad range of application based requirements (including abusive tests) performing numerous tasks (historically >15 tasks). The contractor shall evaluate the MOD electro-chemical power sources & develop new techniques to address emergent issues. All test facilities are located within in Mainland GB & co-located (limitations imposed through the Dangerous Goods transport regs for prototype & abused or defective items).

Required test capabilities:

Electrical discharge & charge capabilities (single & multiple stage regimes in various modes with automated cycling) performed on products ranging from single cells up to batteries of 50 Volts d.c. Current ranges from <10µA to >300A in conjunction with the ability to perform these tests over temperatures from -60 to 200 Celsius (on samples up to 300 mm in all dimensions weighing up to 45 kg).

Less frequent tests include:

Simulated engine start.

Altitude simulation (<11.6 kPa ≈ 50,000 ft)

Humidity exposure

Vibration & mechanical shock

Water immersion (minimum depth of 1 Metre)

High temperature (up to 400 C)

Fire test facilities (burning characteristics & susceptibility)

Bullet strike capabilities

Rapid/explosive decompression

Abusive charging & explosion containment.

Broad spectrum EMC testing (radiated & conducted emissions & susceptibility).

Data logging is required during individual tests together with the ability for video recording & thermal imaging.

Tech Support. Specific areas technical support are required in relation to tech policy for:

Specification activities (civil & mil both at National /International levels).

Battery rationalisation & harmonisation issues

Airborne use of batteries on military aircraft

Policy & regulation for transportation and disposal

Information Management. Management of high volumes of diverse information and data from a range of sources for both current and legacy items (including electronic and hard copy) is required. The ability to generate retrieve, manage, collate present and disseminate data to a variety of users with different expectations is vital in the support arrangement.

The site and individuals providing these services hold a minimum of SC clearance.