Post date: Mar 07, 2014 11:47:21 AM
USA (Next Media) - US scientists have discovered a material that can substitute the flammable components in lithium ion batteries, offering a safer alternative to the commonly used, yet potentially dangerous batteries such as those that grounded the Boeing 787 Dreamliner.
According to Knovel, scientists at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill have found a material, known as perfluoropolyether [PFPE], to replace the flammable component in lithium ion batteries.
The material has been used as an unguent for gears in heavy duty industrial equipment and was recently studied as a potential solution to the problem of aquatic creatures adhering to the bottom of sea-faring vessels.The substance that can replace the electrolyte in lithium ion batteries is called perfluoropolyether. It can dissolve lithium salt and exhibits thermal stability beyond 200°C .
Lithium is also a highly reactive substance containing sodium and potassium. Like all batteries, lithium-ion ones consist of two electrodes separated by an electrolyte, a solution of lithium salts and organic solvents.
Most of these solvents are highly flammable. When a small fault in the extremely thin separators that keep the battery elements apart appears, it can lead to an internal short-circuit and a subsequent build-up of heat. This can trigger the battery to overheat and on some occasions burst into flames.
Lithium-ion batteries are highly flammable. In 2013, the Boeing 787 Dreamliner was grounded due to electrical fires during flights caused by its lithium-ion battery packs.
SOURCES: Knovel, The Economist, Howstuffworks, PNAS, Extreme Tech, Tree Hugger
http://why.knovel.com/all-engineering-news/2981-nonflammable-lithium-battery-developed-by-scientists.html
http://www.economist.com/blogs/economist-explains/2014/01/economist-explains-19
http://computer.howstuffworks.com/dell-battery-fire.htm
http://www.pnas.org/content/early/2014/02/04/1314615111.abstract
http://www.extremetech.com/computing/176527-first-nonflammable-lithium-ion-battery-will-stop-your-smartphone-car-and-plane-from-exploding
http://www.treehugger.com/clean-technology/inherently-non-flammable-lithium-ion-battery-are-coming.html
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