US firm unveils 26-cell battery monitor that detects faults before batteries fail

- US firm unveils 26-cell battery monitor that detects faults before batteries fail. Texas Instruments’ new BQ79826Z-Q1 chip integrates an electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) engine, acting like a real-time EKG for battery cells. This tech detects internal chemical changes, flagging thermal runaway risks before they escalate. Supporting 26 cells per device, it slashes component counts and board space, simplifying EV and energy storage architectures. Faster EIS measurements improve state-of-charge accuracy, while ISO 26262 compliance ensures robust safety. As AI-driven automation scales production, this hardware-level intelligence reduces complexity and cost. It’s a critical step toward safer, smarter energy systems powering the next wave of robotics and electric mobility.