The solution provides the accuracy and speed needed to isolate unstable batteries before they become a safety risk. (Image source: Brady)

Brady Corporation is offering a new, more cost-efficient solution to quickly detect unstable Li-ion batteries in storage

Able to automatically measure 0,5°C temperature differences per second, the solution provides the accuracy and speed needed to isolate unstable batteries before they become a safety risk.

Brady’s new battery temperature monitoring solution involves 3 components: self-adhesive battery-free UHF RFID labels with embedded temperature sensors, RFID readers with up to 16 antennas, and a customisable RFID software platform. The self-adhesive UHF RFID-embedded labels can be applied inside battery cell boxes for fast temperature change detection. Alternatively, every battery cell can be labelled with Brady’s on-metal, printable UHF RFID labels to enable more elaborate advantages in Li-ion battery supply chains.

Every second, the RFID antennas and readers automatically power all labels and sensors in range to collect temperature readings with 0.5°C accuracy. Every temperature reading, and matching battery storage location, is collected by the RFID software platform. When customisable temperature thresholds are reached, the software platform triggers 3^rd party devices via standard API. With almost continuous, automated and accurate temperature monitoring, warehouse stakeholders can receive early warnings via sms, email or even racking warning lights. They can be guided in time to specific warehouse locations for unstable Li-ion battery isolation. Alternatively, Brady’s software platform API can also trigger an autonomous vehicle to automatically remove an unstable battery.

Click here to see how you can benefit from automated battery temperature monitoring in a single, comprehensive visual

Cost-effective

Battery-free UHF RFID labels with embedded sensors are a more cost-effective battery temperature monitoring solution than powered RFID tags or IR cameras. UHF RFID labels and their temperature sensors receive power wirelessly from RFID antennas and readers in range. They are available at significantly lower costs – up to 5 times less than battery-powered RFID tags – and do not require maintenance.

The number of RFID readers needed to completely cover storage locations in a warehouse heavily depends on warehouse setup, racking height and storage volume per racking compartment. Brady can connect up to 16 antennas to a single RFID reader that provides high accuracy, high speed temperature monitoring for all storage locations in 12 metre wide and 4 metre high racking.

The automated, and almost continuous, nature of the temperature monitoring solution enables Li-ion battery manufacturers and logistics companies to significantly increase safety and reduce risk at advantageous costs.

Discover battery monitoring case studies by clicking here

Automated inventories

By adding an RFID reader gate at designated warehouse exits, Brady’s solution can also enable automated, real-time warehouse inventories. RFID labelled items are read by Brady’s RFID readers the moment their label enters reader range. When they pass through a designated RFID reader gate, these items can easily be subtracted from the inventory by the RFID software platform. When used in this way, the solution can provide cost-effective battery track & trace inside the warehouse from entry to exit, complete with battery cell box or battery cell temperature fluctuation in between.

Get some inspiration from Brady's free guidebook here

This article is authored by Brady Corporation

The last recorded cases of heat-related illness at EGA were in 2020. (Image source: EGA)

Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA), the UAE's largest industrial company outside the oil and gas sector, has announced achieving zero heat-related illnesses for the third consecutive summer.

Heat-related illnesses pose a significant risk for anyone working outdoors during the UAE's intense summer heat, with the potential to be life-threatening if not addressed promptly. EGA’s industrial operations, which generate additional heat, run continuously throughout the summer, requiring round-the-clock outdoor work.

EGA's 'Beat the Heat' programme, in place for over a decade, is a comprehensive, summer-long initiative designed to combat occupational heat stress. It focuses on raising awareness among employees about the early signs of heat-related illness and empowering them to take proactive measures to prevent its onset.

Stress prevention

EGA’s ‘Beat the Heat’ campaign incorporates several measures to prevent heat-related illnesses, including hydration tests conducted before and during shifts, regular breaks, and cooling showers. The programme also features cooling booths, drinking stations, icemakers, and portable air conditioning units installed throughout the production areas to ensure that both employees and contractors remain cool and comfortable during their work shifts.

Medical personnel from EGA’s on-site centres play an active role in heat stress prevention, working closely with employees and providing immediate treatment to anyone reporting early symptoms of heat stress.

Since 2022, EGA has partnered with US technology firm Kenzen to trial wearable technology that monitors key physiological indicators such as core body temperature and heart rate. This summer, 300 EGA employees used these devices, which provide real-time feedback to both the wearer and EGA’s safety team, allowing for the detection of early heat stress signs before they are physically felt.

The last recorded cases of heat-related illness at EGA were in 2020 when two employees required treatment. Both individuals received intravenous hydration and fully recovered within hours.

Abdulnasser Bin Kalban, CEO of EGA, said, “Our success in completely preventing heat-related illness on our sites for the third year in a row proves that this key hazard for outdoor workers in region can be overcome. Occupational heat stress remains a serious challenge in our region and beyond, and we believe our experience has important lessons for everyone employing people to work outside.”

TME is excited to announce the addition of MICROTEST products to its catalogue, offering state-of-the-art solutions for testing equipment and circuits.

MICROTEST, a Taiwanese company established in 1993, has earned a strong reputation across multiple markets.

The brand’s devices are tailored for industrial production lines, quality assurance, research and development departments, and measurement laboratories.

This partnership highlights the availability of high-performance LCR meters, impedance analyzers, and safety testers, with plans to expand the product range further.

LCR meters and impedance analysers

LCR meters and impedance analyzers from MICROTEST are available in various versions distinguished primarily by their frequency range, which spans from 10 Hz to 1...50 MHz (depending on the model) with basic accuracy up to ±0.05%.

They are stationary devices designed for professional applications in laboratories and electronic circuit manufacturing.

To support such use, the LCR meters feature several functionalities that enhance their operation: automatic level control (ALC), connectivity to computers and data analysis software (via RS232, GPIB, LAN, or USB interfaces), and the ability to measure resistance and inductance simultaneously.

It can simultaneously test up to four parameters of a component and it’s also worth noting that the measurement time can be as short as less than 3 ms.

The 6632 series impedance analyzers share similar characteristics with built-in DC Bias voltage ±12V. A key feature is the optional Equivalent Circuit Analysis, enabling designers to simulate circuit components before selection.

Their capabilities include testing admittance, Q factor, phase angle θ, conductance, permeability, reactance, susceptance, loss factor D, relative permittivity and, naturally, inductance, impedance, DCR (DC resistance), and equivalent series resistance (ESR).

All these functions are accessible via a user-friendly interface (the units are equipped with 7-inch colour displays). Measurements can be performed in series or parallel, with cable length compensation (0...2 m).

Safety testers

High-voltage safety testers (also known as HiPot Testers) are used to test the insulation of various electrical equipment and circuits by checking the dielectric strength of coatings and other components intended for the protection of users, and in this way making sure that the design of equipment, installations and components is safe.

The MCT-7630/7631 models from MICROTEST are testers designed for industrial and laboratory testing. Depending on the model, they offer 1 or 8 channels, take measurements up to 5000 V AC and 6000 V DC (with measuring voltage range of 10...1000 V DC) and support insulation resistance measurements up to 12 GΩ.

Their functionalities also include True RMS value measurement, arcing detection (transients detection), a number of manual and automated tests with adjustable ramp time (from 0.1 s to 10 s) and measuring time from 0.1 s to 999 s. Similarly to the devices described above, these testers can be operated remotely (via digital interfaces), as well as locally (with an optional control pedal).

The company's global presence includes manufacturing facilities in Belgium. (Image source: Convergent)

We're not just a group that created the best lithium silicate hardeners in 2000, we're first and foremost a research team for the protection of concrete surfaces in general.

It’s the most preferred and specified brand by design builders, architects and owners and it continues to set the standard by which all others follow.

Over the past 25 years, we have continued to develop our lithium-based products to bring you a complete range from hardeners to solid & transparent colours, to finishing products as well as lithium-based detergents.

Finishing a concrete surface is a piece of patience and knowledge!

That’s why we have around the world 50 distributors, who are expert in concrete surfaces with more than 100 million sqm experience.

With our research department, we have developed other hardeners, other pigments, other finishing products, other waterproofing products based on different silicates such as sodium, potassium, fluorine, but also hardeners based on colloidal silica, repair mortars that you can colour, but also a range polyaspartic products.

Facility owners from various industries have relied on our unique chemical strengths to make their concrete and masonry cleaner, safer and more durable:

Aeronautic: Boeing, Airbus

Concrete Highway, Landing Strip, Haven)

Manufacturing: Inditex, Louis Vuitton

Car & Truck factories: Scania, Iveco, VAG, Mercedes

Nuclear Site: Spain

Shopping mole: Lotus Shopping

Grocery stores: Aldi, Metro, Gran Mercado, Carrefour, Atacadao

Water & Soda Production: Coke, Utah Juice

Warehousing: Amazon- E-Mag, Nestlé

Commercial: Ikea, Leroy Merlin, Castorama

Healthcare & Hospital, Universities: Brussel’s, Helsinki

Cold rooms & Freezers: Mc Cain

Perfumes production: Dior

Luxury Stores: Hermes

Pharmaceutical: Pfizer

Museum: Guggenheim

This article was written by Convergent Group SA, which is an international chemicals company based in Belgium, specialising in the manufacture of chemical treatments for concrete surfaces. 

The company's global presence includes manufacturing facilities in Belgium and distribution networks serving Europe, Africa, Australia/New Zealand, India, and the Middle East.