Lithium batteries are known to overheat where scientists have now developed this new material that can adapt to changing temperatures in the environment, similarly to when a battery is charging.
When the material suddenly reacts to the lithium battery, it causes a sudden drop in heat that can effectively prevent the battery from overheating that can lead to flaming up. This material is then inserted inside the battery that prevents this thermal "runaway".
Now, researchers from Stanford University revealed that prior attempts to solve this problem resulted in slower response and limited performance of the battery itself.
Even if energy density and the lifespan of lithium ion batteries have already improved immensely over the years, its safety is still an issue, still unresolved but of utmost importance. Apart from this, this issue also prevented the global adoption of next generation, high density batteries.
In this new study, researchers from Stanford University utilized spiky nanoparticles from nickel coated in graphene to create this breakthrough lithium ion battery that can automatically shut down if it gets too hot and restart quickly as it cools down.
Further studies are still needed as to whether this new material can be used for larger batteries like in cars. Still, this is a promising development after hoverboards catching on fire last December, deeming them a dangerous Christmas present.
These hoverboards are supposed to be fun, self-balancing scooters however, they become deadly once they catch fire while people are riding on them, as many universities including airlines have already banned them. The main cause of this hazard would be their lithium ion batteries.
Lithium batteries are widely used batteries for consumer electronics, in which, apart from hoverboards, have already ignited fires in electric cars and even cargo planes. Lithium batteries are susceptible to overheating and even exploding, where the U.S. government have already recalled more than thousands of batteries from cameras, laptops, tablets, and other electronics.
Majority of manufacturers also prefer lithium ion batteries since they charge faster and possess higher power density which also have a longer lifespan than traditional ones. These batteries are also ubiquitous, as they can be found in many gadgets like computers, smartphones, cameras, gaming consoles, laptops, power tools and even electric wheelchairs and e-cigarettes.
This new study is published in the journal Nature Energy.