Published: 25.05.2026
Researchers at the University of Pardubice have developed unique sensors that can significantly extend the lifespan of lithium-ion batteries and advance the development of so-called smart batteries. In the future, the sensors will be able to detect problems on their own and, thanks to advanced features, respond to them as they arise. The university is also seeking international patent protection for these sensors.
A team from the Faculty of Chemical Technology is participating in the development as part of the international Horizon Europe project – Salamander – that brings together international scientific expertise in battery research. Scientists in Pardubice play a key role in the project – they are focused on developing sensors to monitor temperature, state of health (SOH), and other parameters measured directly inside the battery.
“As part of the project, we have developed new types and designs of sensors that are extremely sensitive and capable of measuring even very small changes in temperature and other parameters directly inside the battery,” says Tomáš Syrový, head of the Pardubice team from the Faculty of Chemical Technology at the University of Pardubice, adding: “Our research brings science closer to the development of a new generation of smart batteries that will find applications in areas such as electric mobility, energy, and modern electronics.”
The developed printed thin-film sensors can detect changes in electrode temperature at the hundredths-of-a-degree Celsius level, thanks to their placement both inside the cell and on the electrode surfaces. This is unattainable for conventional sensors located outside the battery. It is this precise data that enables detailed monitoring of processes inside the cell and paves the way for the use of advanced algorithms and artificial intelligence for predictive protection and optimisation of battery operation. The scientists in Pardubice also devoted a significant portion of their research to ensuring the long-term durability of the sensors, which must function reliably in the chemically aggressive environment inside the battery.
Sensitive and reliable sensors are an essential component of the new generation of smart batteries. Data from sensors and advanced algorithms enable early identification of potential issues, allowing activation of self-healing mechanisms for the batteries, which are also being developed as part of the project. Activating these mechanisms will significantly extend the lifespan of batteries and enhance safety during use.
The university has already filed patent applications for selected technologies in the EU and other countries, with the University of Pardubice as the primary inventor.
Pardubice, 15 May 2026
Martina Macková
Head of the Promotion and External Affairs, UPCE
