US scientists come up with lithium-ion battery that won't catch fire

Scientists have come up with a flexible lithium-ion battery that can not only operate under extreme conditions such as cutting, submersion, and simulated ballistic impact but also does not catch fire. According to researchers from Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) in the US, currently, the li-ion batteries are under the risk of catastrophic fire and explosion incidents most of which are available without any discernible warning because they are built with flammable and combustible materials.
The scientists noted that some phones were banned from airlines as a result of this threat and the US Navy's prohibition of e-cigarettes on ships and submarines is a direct response to the need to reduce the flammability of such devices.

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Li-ion batteries work as an energy storage device: Researchers

The researchers said that these batteries work as an energy storage device for portable electronics and these safety advancements mark a significant step forward in transforming the way Li-ion batteries are manufactured and utilized in electronic devices. The researchers described a new class of “water-in-salt” and “water-in-bisalt” electrolytes -- referred to as WiS and WiBS, respectively. These electrolytes when induced in a polymer matrix, reduce the water activity and escalate the battery's energy capacity and life cycle.

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A safe and powerful alternative

Researchers said it's a safe and powerful alternative. Li-ion batteries play an important role in daily life starting from phones to cars, and continuing to improve their safety is paramount to further advancing energy storage technology, said Konstantinos Gerasopoulos, a senior research scientist. The li-ion batteries have not changed much since their commercialization in 1990 and we are still using the same cylindrical or prismatic cell types. He added that his team is focused on replacing the flammable liquid with a polymer that improves safety and form factor. He also added that the first generation of flexible batteries was not as stable as those they are making today.

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