Lithium-ion batteries aren’t exactly the safest batteries in the world and the problem is far worse when it is frequently found on devices that you usually stuff inside your pockets. In an attempt to mitigate the damage an exploding lithium-ion battery can cause, researchers at Stanford University have created a battery that comes with its own fire extinguisher.
According to the research papers, said lithium-ion battery comes with a chemical called “triphenyl phosphate” that is housed in the plastic fibers of the part that keeps negative and positive electrodes seperate. Should the battery manages to hit 150 degrees Celsius, the plastic fibers will melt and release the chemicals, putting out any potential fires that the battery could cause within 0.4 seconds.
While the idea behind a built-in fire extinguisher on a battery isn’t exactly a new concept, the one being developed by Stanford is unique in that it does not compromise the battery’s performance. Should the idea prove to have merits, we may be seeing safer batteries on smart devices in the future.
Source: Science Advances, Engadget