Battery metamorphosis for Caterpillar

A Glasgow Caledonian University PhD student is looking to help a major construction-equipment company transfer its fleet and gear to battery use.

The student will help Caterpillar, a manufacturer of construction and mining equipment, switch from diesel engines to battery-driven equipment, which will have a significant impact on the workers’ health and, similarly, the environment.

The research will involve the development of a tool that Caterpillar can use to monitor the life and degradation of batteries that could be used to power its vehicles, tools and heavy-duty machines.

Caterpillar is funding the project conducted by the PhD researcher, who is an employee of the company, with supervision from the Glasgow Caledonian team.

Project supervisor, Professor Mohamed Emad Farrag, Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, said: “By the end of this research phase, a tool will be developed to help the company take a decision to shift toward phasing in battery-based equipment with minimum risk to their day-to-day business. There is not a time frame for this, but positive results will speed the process of transition.

“Once the concept is proofed and the first stage is completed, there will be a firm ground for applying for UKRI research funding for the implementation of the algorithms on real-time and aged batteries.”