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New battery chip could replace 'best-guess' monitoring before faults become fires. Battery storage is becoming a more important part of daily life as more solar and wind power come online. by Leslie Sattler October 3, 2026 Photo Credit: Kiwa PI Berlin Texas Instruments has developed a chip that gives operators of large battery storage systems earlier warning of trouble by directly assessing conditions inside individual cells. Safer, more reliable battery storage can help cities, utilities, and businesses avoid costly failures while making clean energy more dependable during power outages. Here's what to know. According to ESS News in pv magazine, Texas Instruments has unveiled a battery management chip for grid-scale storage that checks cell condition directly rather than inferring it mostly from voltage. Called the BQ79826Z-Q1, the device builds electrochemical impedance spectroscopy into the silicon itself. With that capability, a storage system can gather more detailed information from each cell and spot developing issues before they escalate into a larger safety concern. Henrik Mannesson, Texas Instruments' general manager for grid infrastructure and power delivery, told ESS News that the capability matters in particular for lithium iron phosphate cells, a common choice in stationary storage. "The voltage curve of LFP batteries is flat in the mid-region," Mannesson said. "When measuring in this region, it is difficult to determine from a standard voltage reading if a slightly lower voltage is due to permanent cell aging or simply a temporary state of charge. Standard systems rely on cycle-counting algorithms to estimate health rather than exact models." TCD picks " Quince spotlight. These best-sellers from Quince deliver affordable, sustainable luxury for all Instead of relying on voltage alone, the technique sends a small alternating signal through each cell at different frequencies and tracks how the cell responds. That gives designers more data to work from. "By creating an exact electrical model of each cell, we can separate state of charge from permanent chemical degradation, such as lithium plating or chemical changes," Mannesson said. More background. Battery storage is becoming a more important part of daily life as more solar and wind power come online and communities seek backup power that can keep critical systems running during disruptions. At the same time, large battery installations face growing pressure to improve fire safety and keep costs in check. By moving the diagnostics onto the chip, Texas Instruments says system makers may be able to skip some extra hardware and build simpler designs. For manufacturers assembling large storage modules, that could mean smaller boards, fewer parts, and lower overall costs. The chip can also monitor up to 26 cells wired in series, which may fit newer 104-cell battery modules more neatly. Per ESS News, four of the chips can cover a full 104-cell module, which helps keep designs compact and costs down. What's being done? Texas Instruments is already offering early samples, and ESS News reported that Mannesson expects mass production by year's end. The first commercial storage systems built around the chip could reach the market in 2027 at the earliest, depending on how quickly customers integrate it. Texas Instruments is also helping engineers get clean readings because outside factors can throw off impedance measurements. Mannesson explained, "Wiring, connectors, and internal resistance all affect the measurement. To ensure a clean setup, we provide reference designs, evaluation modules, and graphical user interfaces. We want to ensure customers have accurate data before running multi-week thermal and degradation tests." Better data matters to the people funding these projects, too. As Mannesson put it, "These large systems are funded by pension and infrastructure funds looking for secure returns. Providing reliable thermal runaway and aging data directly improves project bankability." Get TCD's free newsletters for easy tips, smart advice, and a chance to earn $5,000 toward home upgrades. To see more stories like this one, change your Google preferences here.

India's chip ambitions. India's semiconductor industry is gaining momentum, with companies like Tata Motors and Infosys poised to capture a significant share of the $1 trillion global market by 2030. AI-powered chip designs are increasing efficiency and reducing costs for industries like automotive and healthcare. Introduction to India's semiconductor industry. India's semiconductor industry is poised for rapid growth, with the government and private sector investing heavily in the development of chip manufacturing facilities, research and development centers, and training programs for professionals. The country's growing semiconductor industry has the potential to capture a significant share of the global market, with estimates suggesting that India could account for a approximately 10% share of global semiconductor production by roughly 2025. This growth is driven by the increasing demand for electronics and semiconductor components in industries such as automotive, healthcare, and telecommunications. One of the key drivers of India's semiconductor industry is the government's initiative to promote the development of the sector. The government has launched several programs, including the "Scheme for Promotion of Manufacturing of Electronic Components and Semiconductors (SPECS)", which aims to encourage the adoption of robotics and automation in the semiconductor industry. Additionally, the government has established several research and development centers, such as the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), to promote innovation and development in the sector. The private sector is also playing a crucial role in the development of India's semiconductor industry. Several major companies, including Intel, Samsung, and Texas Instruments, have established manufacturing facilities and research and development centers in India. These companies are not only creating jobs and driving economic growth but also contributing to the development of the sector through their investments in research and development. India's semiconductor industry is also benefiting from the country's large pool of skilled professionals. India has roughly 1.5 million engineering graduates and professionals with expertise in fields such as electronics, computer science, and telecommunications. This talent pool is attracting companies to set up their research and development centers and manufacturing facilities in India. In conclusion, India's semiconductor industry is poised to capture a substantial share of the global market. The government's initiatives, the private sector's investments, and the country's large pool of skilled professionals are all contributing to the growth of the sector. As the demand for electronics and semiconductor components continues to grow, India is well-positioned to become a major player in the global semiconductor industry. The rise of ai-powered chip designs. AI-powered chip designs are transforming the semiconductor industry, enabling the creation of more efficient and cost-effective chips for a wide range of applications. AI-powered chip designs use machine learning algorithms to optimize the design of chips, reducing the time and cost associated with traditional design methods. This technology is being adopted by industries such as automotive and healthcare, where the demand for high-performance and low-power chips is increasing. A McKinsey report states, the use of AI-powered chip designs can reduce the design time by up to 30-50% and the cost by up to 20-30%. This is because AI-powered chip designs can automate many of the tasks associated with traditional design methods, such as simulation and verification. The automotive industry is one of the major beneficiaries of AI-powered chip designs. The use of AI-powered chips in vehicles can enable advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) and autonomous driving. Industry observers note that the global automotive semiconductor market is expected to grow significantly by 2025, driven by the increasing demand for ADAS and autonomous driving. The healthcare industry is another major beneficiary of AI-powered chip designs. The use of AI-powered chips in medical devices can enable the creation of more accurate and reliable diagnostic tools. Industry observers note that the global healthcare semiconductor market is expected to grow to a significant size by 2025, driven by the increasing demand for medical devices and diagnostic tools. In conclusion, AI-powered chip designs are driving growth and innovation in the semiconductor industry, enabling the creation of more efficient and cost-effective chips for a wide range of applications. The adoption of this technology by industries such as automotive and healthcare is driving growth and innovation in the sector. As the demand for high-performance and low-power chips continues to grow, AI-powered chip designs are expected to play an increasingly important role in the development of the semiconductor industry. Tata Motors and Infosys: leaders in India's chip ambitions. Tata Motors and Infosys are at the forefront of India's chip ambitions, leveraging AI-powered chip designs to gain a competitive edge in the global market. Tata Motors, one of India's largest automakers, has been investing heavily in the development of autonomous vehicles, which require advanced semiconductor components. The company has partnered with several global chip manufacturers to design and develop custom chips for its autonomous vehicles, resulting in a significant reduction in production costs and an increase in efficiency. Infosys, on the other hand, has been focusing on the development of AI-powered chip designs for various industries, including healthcare, finance, and retail. The company has developed a range of chip designs that can be used in various applications, from smart home devices to industrial automation systems. Infosys has also partnered with several global companies to develop custom chips for specific applications, resulting in a significant increase in performance and a reduction in power consumption. The use of AI-powered chip designs has also enabled Tata Motors and Infosys to reduce their reliance on foreign chip manufacturers, which has been a major challenge for Indian companies in the past. By developing their own chip designs, these companies can now manufacture chips in India, reducing their dependence on foreign suppliers and improving their supply chain resilience. Significant Cost savings AI-Generated · Built to Move You AI researcher, analyst, and writer by TechAssembly. 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