Battery fires in electric cars are rare but often very violent. Some researchers may have solved this with a battery that extinguishes itself.
A group of researchers from Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology (DGIST) in Korea has developed a new type of battery for electric cars.
What's special about the battery is that it can extinguish a fire on its own if it were to happen. The battery, which uses a "three-layer solid polymer electrolyte," is also designed to maintain good performance even after many charges.
At least if you ask the Koreans.
A key problem with traditional solid polymer electrolytes in batteries is the formation of so-called dendrites, small structures that can form during charging and discharging.
This is what Carscoops writes.
Although they may seem harmless, they can damage the battery's internal connections and increase the risk of fire or explosion. Dendrites have been a challenge to the safety and efficiency of lithium-metal batteries for many years.
The researchers at DGIST have attempted to solve the problem by developing a new electrolyte structure. Their solution is a three-layer construction that gives the battery both stability and functionality.
The outer layers are thin, ensuring good contact with the electrodes, while the last layer is more robust and strengthens the battery's overall durability.
To make the battery even safer, the electrolyte is added with a fire-retardant chemical compound called decabromodiphenyl-ethane.
The results of the project were presented in a scientific article in the journal Small . In it, the researchers describe how their design combines safety with efficiency. Although the work is technical, this type of battery could have great practical significance for electric cars.
Lithium metal batteries are an important part of the development of electric vehicle technology. Reducing the risk of fire is a necessity when working with high-voltage batteries. The work of the DGIST team is a step towards safer and more stable battery technology.
Improving battery safety has been a key focus area in research in recent years. Because it is necessary to improve the safety of electric cars. Right now, for example, the fear of fires has led Greece to ban electric cars on ferries. Read more about it here .
A key advantage of the battery is its ability to withstand repeated charge cycles without significant degradation. The researchers are continuing to investigate how their technology can be further improved.
With a growing demand for safe battery solutions for electric cars, this invention could have significance in many contexts. The Korean researchers do not offer a prediction as to when the technology could be used in electric cars.
