Coolant-Sensitive Smart Hoses: The Dawn of Early-Warning in EV Thermal Systems
In electric vehicles—especially buses and light commercial platforms—thermal management is at the core of both range and safety. The conventional approach relies on monitoring temperature, pressure, and flow while scheduling maintenance on mileage or time-based intervals. The idea of a “smart hose” turns this paradigm upside down: the hose itself becomes a sensing surface, monitoring the chemical health of the coolant flowing through it. This allows silent root causes of failure—such as leakage, ionic contamination, or acidification—to be detected before a compressor engages or insulation resistance falls below safety thresholds. With the industry rapidly shifting toward low-conductivity coolants, this approach is gaining traction. What Makes a “Smart Hose” Different? Today, pH and conductivity checks are typically done via inline probes or service equipment. Embedding miniature sensors directly into the hose material integrates this function without compromising flexibility. Academic ...
