Fire Extinguishing Battery

Researchers have developed a lithium-ion battery with built-in fire extinguisher.

15:34 17 January 2017

A research team from Stanford University has designed a lithium-ion battery with fire-extinguishing materials, which are released if the battery’s temperature reaches 150C (302F).  In their paper published by the journal Sciences Advances, it was revealed that battery fires were extinguished in 0.4 seconds.

 

Lithium-ion batteries are known fire hazard. It is believed that they are responsible for some incidents last year wherein some Galaxy Note 7 smartphones caught fire; although Samsung is yet to release the results of its investigation on the matter. 

 

In a statement, the company said: "We understand the need for answers and appreciate your continued patience as well as that of our valued customers, partners and stakeholders,"

 

"We are working diligently to ensure that we have a comprehensive update and will provide more information in the coming weeks once we have the final report."

 

In early 2016, the US National Transportation Safety Board issued a warning about lithium batteries in aeroplane cargo, describing them as “a fire and explosion ignition source.”

 

Ian Fogg, senior analyst at IHS, said: "There is enormous pressure to improve battery tech. It's one of the areas that's holding back mobile devices and a range of other products,"

 

"Manufacturers have been balancing out consumer demand for longer-lived batteries, and more powerful devices with better graphics and larger more detailed displays, with the sophistication of battery tech.

 

"It's very difficult to push up the capacity of batteries and there is always a risk that a battery in any device could fail."