At a time when energy transition and net-zero carbon emissions have become global priorities, a research team led by Distinguished Professor Fu-Min Wang of the Graduate Institute of Applied Science and Technology at Taiwan Tech is collaborating with leading domestic electric scooter manufacturers to redefine safety standards in green energy storage through innovative battery safety technologies and advanced polymer material design.

Photo of Distinguished Professor Fu-Min Wang attending the 2023 Annual Meeting of the Electrochemical Society of Taiwan and the International Conference on Green Electrochemical Technologies.

Research has already been applied to the monitoring systems of domestic battery-sharing service providers. By integrating big data analytics with electrochemical measurement techniques, the team, which collaborates with electric scooter manufacturers in Taiwan, has established the country’s first Battery Health Monitoring and Early Warning Platform. The system can issue alerts before abnormal temperature rises or sudden increases in internal resistance occur, enabling batteries to be used longer and with greater peace of mind. Fu-Min Wang describes the vision succinctly: “When a battery encounters a problem, we want it not to explode, but to quietly pass away.”

Through large-scale data analysis, the system tracks battery health under various parameters, including charging and discharging behavior, voltage, and impedance variations. At the same time, statistical models are used to predict abnormal potential normalities. Professor Wang notes that the core of the research lies in “how to release energy safely rather than through explosive reactions.” The key technologies combine polymer electrolyte design with thermal management control. The team has also validated the technology within the battery networks of domestic electric scooter brands, incorporating random sampling inspections, in-service health optimization, and short-circuit prediction algorithms. These enable the system to automatically adjust charging and discharging, preventing accidents in advance.

At the 2023 Annual Meeting of the Electrochemical Society of Taiwan, Distinguished Professor Fu-Min Wang (right) took a photo with Professor Chi-Chang Hu (left), President of the Society, from National Tsing Hua University.

Professor Fu-Min Wang emphasizes that the most significant collaboration is enabling one between academia and national data, while industry enhances product safety and lifespan.” This partnership also enables students in Taiwan to reach their goals. Since joining Taiwan Tech in 2010, focusing on batteries and polymer electrolytes, he has continued to fthe battery safety and the use of lithium batteries. The in-situ focus-time observation technology he developed enables researchers to monitor internal chemical changes during battery operation, allowing them to predict aging and safety risks at an early stage.

Distinguished Professor Fu-Min Wang (right) is working with his research team.

Professor Fu-Min Wang stated, “We have analyzed data from millions of batteries and have so far found no safety concerns.” This achievement places Taiwan among the few countries worldwide capable of conducting million-scale battery safety monitoring and sets a new benchmark for industry–academia collaboration.

Photo of Distinguished Professor Fu-Min Wang explaining his research findings to conference participants.

He believes that Taiwan’s strengths lie in “precision and safety,” and that these advantages will continue to be extended to fields such as drones, submarines, and wearable devices. The team is also engaged in research on self-powered wearables and biosensors, aiming to develop smart devices that can both generate their own power and monitor health.

Photo of Distinguished Professor Fu-Min Wang receiving the 22nd Y. Z. Hsu Science Award at the award ceremony.

Having received recognition from both the Y. Z. Hsu Science Award and the 2025 International Net-Zero Emissions Technology Competition, Professor Fu-Min Wang likens his research to “teaching batteries how to take better care of themselves.” From chemical reactions to data analysis, he hopes every step of the work can make energy use safer and more closely integrated into everyday life. Professor Wang notes, “Research is not just about patents or awards. What I truly hope is that every battery we use in the future can safely and reliably stay with us for a longer time.”

During a visit to The Bandung Institute of Technology in Indonesia, Distinguished Professor Fu-Min Wang (left) took a photo with Ferry Iskandar, Chair of the Department of Chemical Engineering.