Imagine a battery that can sense its own distress reliably and simply, then send out a warning before failure strikes.
That’s the vision driving Siva Nadimpalli, associate professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Michigan State University.
His team has transformed a traditional strain gauge into something like an electrocardiogram for batteries. The surface-mounted sensor detects physical changes that signal internal reactions in real time.
By sensing mechanical shifts on the battery’s exterior, the system captures the start of an overheating situation, revealing what’s happening inside long before heat or voltage sensors would notice. This early warning could prevent the kind of thermal-runaway events that lead to fires in electric vehicles, aircraft, and naval vessels.
Giving batteries a faster way to “feel” opens a new era of safety and reliability for energy storage. Beyond protecting critical systems, Nadimpalli’s work could extend battery life, reduce waste, and conserve materials. These are important steps toward more sustainable electrification. His research combines materials science, mechanical design, and data analysis to make energy storage not just powerful but predictably safe.
To explore Nadimpalli’s research, visit:
In operando measurement of surface strain of 18650 Li-ion cells during cycling [Article]
Siva Nadimpalli's Research Website [Website]
MSU College of Engineering Media and Public Relations page
