Development of an AI-Assisted Hybrid Thermal Management System Using Phase Change Materials and Liquid Cooling for Electric Vehicles

Abstract

As electric vehicles (EVs) become increasingly prevalent, effective thermal management of battery systems is critical to ensure performance, safety, and longevity. This paper presents the development of an AI-assisted hybrid thermal management system that integrates Phase Change Materials (PCMs) with a liquid cooling mechanism. The proposed system leverages the latent heat storage capacity of PCMs for passive temperature regulation, while active liquid cooling is dynamically controlled by an artificial intelligence algorithm trained to respond to varying load and environmental conditions. Simulation and experimental results demonstrate that the hybrid system significantly reduces thermal spikes and enhances heat dissipation efficiency compared to conventional systems. The AI component enables adaptive control by predicting thermal behavior and optimizing energy consumption for cooling, contributing to extended battery life and improved vehicle efficiency. The integration of intelligent decision-making with advanced thermal materials represents a promising direction for next-generation EV thermal management technologies.