'Gum' material may enhance battery safety
Lithium-ion batteries may soon be considerably safer, thanks to new research from Washington State University. Researchers there have created a new chewing gum-like battery material that promises to dramatically improve the safety of the technology.
Pretty much everyone in the industrial world has had personal experience with lithium-ion batteries. They’re used in everything from cellphones, to laptops, to airplanes. But, despite their ubiquity, they have a number of notable drawbacks, perhaps most notable of which is the use of highly acidic electrolytes which can corrosive damage and even start fires, and are also a health hazard. These dangers are mitigated to some degree, but certainly not completely, by the use of flame retardants and temperature sensors.
To address this, the researchers – led by Katie Zhong, a Westinghouse distinguished professor in the School of Mechanical and Materials Engineering – have developed this new “gum-like” lithium battery electrolyte. This material can function very effectively as a battery’s liquid electrolyte but isn’t a fire hazard, as the conventional choices are.
Washington State University explains:
The researchers are planning to now continue their work by testing their material in real commercial-scale batteries. A patent has already been filed for the new material.
The new findings were just published in the journal Advanced Energy Materials.
Originally published on CleanTechnica. Reproduced with permission.