Electric battery

Self-extinguishing batteries could reduce the risk of deadly and costly battery fires

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, February 6, 2024

By modifying affordable commercial coolants to function as battery electrolytes, we were able to produce a battery that puts out its own fire.

Key Points: 
  • By modifying affordable commercial coolants to function as battery electrolytes, we were able to produce a battery that puts out its own fire.
  • We subjected these batteries to the nail penetration test, a common method for assessing lithium-ion battery safety.
  • Driving a stainless steel nail through a charged battery simulates an internal short circuit; if the battery catches fire, it fails the test.

Why it matters

  • High outdoor temperatures or uneven temperatures within a battery pack seriously threaten batteries’ safety and durability.
  • Energy-dense batteries, such as the lithium-ion versions that are widely used in electronics and electric vehicles, contain an electrolyte formulation dominated by organic molecules that are highly flammable.
  • As scientists studying energy generation, storage and conversion, we have a strong interest in developing energy-dense and safe batteries.

How we did our work

  • However, most known nonflammable organic solvents contain fluorine and phosphorus, which are expensive and can have harmful effects on the environment.
  • We focused on a mature, safe and affordable commercial fluid called Novec 7300, which has low toxicity, is nonflammable and does not contribute to global warming.

What still isn’t known

  • For this reason, our study focused predominantly on self-extinguishing potassium-ion batteries, although it also showed that our electrolyte works well for making self-extinguishing lithium-ion batteries.
  • If the industry embraces it, we expect that companies will be able to manufacture nonflammable batteries using their existing lithium-ion battery facilities.


Apparao Rao receives funding from the R. A. Bowen Endowed Professorship funds at Clemson University. Bingan Lu does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

Chung-Ang University Team Achieves High-Safety Ultra-Fast Charging for Lithium Batteries

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, February 6, 2024

SEOUL, South Korea, Feb. 6, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries are indispensable for modern devices like electric vehicles, which are playing an increasingly crucial role in people's lives. However, to fully electrify vehicles with Li-ion batteries, the main hurdle is achieving rapid charging without compromising energy density. The convenience and acceptance of electric vehicles by consumers are also influenced by factors such as their range and charging times. Additionally, the utilization of Li plating for ultra-fast charging raises safety concerns due to high cell polarization, requiring careful attention.

Key Points: 
  • However, to fully electrify vehicles with Li-ion batteries, the main hurdle is achieving rapid charging without compromising energy density.
  • The convenience and acceptance of electric vehicles by consumers are also influenced by factors such as their range and charging times.
  • Additionally, the utilization of Li plating for ultra-fast charging raises safety concerns due to high cell polarization, requiring careful attention.
  • Title of original paper: Boosting interfacial kinetics in extremely fast rechargeable Li-ion batteries with linear carbonate-based, LiPF6-concentrated electrolyte

Battery For Energy Storage Systems (ESS) Market to grow by USD 47.19 billion from 2023 to 2028; Growth Driven by changing the energy mix from fossil fuels to sustainable and renewable energy resources- Technavio

Retrieved on: 
Monday, February 5, 2024

The global off-grid battery for energy storage systems (ESS) market is expected to grow rapidly during the forecast period due to the Changing energy mix from fossil fuels to stainable and renewable energy resources.

Key Points: 
  • The global off-grid battery for energy storage systems (ESS) market is expected to grow rapidly during the forecast period due to the Changing energy mix from fossil fuels to stainable and renewable energy resources.
  • Battery For Energy Storage Systems (ESS) Market 2024-2028: Segmentation Analysis
    The on-grid segment is estimated to witness significant growth during the forecast period.
  • Furthermore, the launch of new on-grid batteries will also drive the growth of the battery for energy storage systems (ESS) market.
  • Imperative Insights on the following aspects:
    What was the size of the global battery for energy storage systems (ESS) market by value?

Volta Labs and Watchmaker Genomics Partner to Simplify and Optimize NGS Library Prep

Retrieved on: 
Monday, February 5, 2024

BOSTON and BOULDER, Colo., Feb. 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Volta Labs , a genomics applications company, and Watchmaker Genomics , a supplier of innovative products for molecular analysis, partner to leverage their technologies to power Volta's short-read library prep kits.

Key Points: 
  • BOSTON and BOULDER, Colo., Feb. 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Volta Labs , a genomics applications company, and Watchmaker Genomics , a supplier of innovative products for molecular analysis, partner to leverage their technologies to power Volta's short-read library prep kits.
  • Volta Labs and Watchmaker Genomics are jointly committed to making efficient, accessible, and cost-effective library prep a reality.
  • With the launch of Volta's Callisto™ Sample Prep System, Watchmaker Genomics will provide the reagents behind various VoltaPrep™ library prep kits.
  • "Watchmaker has set the bar high for enzyme engineering and library prep workflow development," said Udayan Umapathi, CEO at Volta Labs.

BLUETTI's Valentine's Day Event Empowers Love with Unmatched Energy Solutions

Retrieved on: 
Friday, February 2, 2024

SYDNEY, AU, Feb 2, 2024 - (ACN Newswire) - As the month of love unfolds, BLUETTI, a pioneer in portable power solutions, launches an extraordinary event starting February 2nd, offering innovative energy solutions tailored for both romantic home settings and adventurous outdoor escapades.

Key Points: 
  • SYDNEY, AU, Feb 2, 2024 - (ACN Newswire) - As the month of love unfolds, BLUETTI, a pioneer in portable power solutions, launches an extraordinary event starting February 2nd, offering innovative energy solutions tailored for both romantic home settings and adventurous outdoor escapades.
  • The modular design of the AC300 and AC500 allows for easy expansion to meet evolving power needs.
  • They are critical for homes in areas prone to natural disasters, such as Queensland, which is currently struggling with power outages caused by flooding.
  • It can simultaneously charge 9 devices and swiftly recharges via 430W AC+solar dual recharging when needed.

Coherent Selected for Funding by the Department of Energy for Its Li-S Battery Technology for Next-Generation Electric Vehicles

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, January 31, 2024

PITTSBURGH, Jan. 31, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Coherent Corp. (NYSE: COHR), a global leader in engineered materials, has been selected for multimillion-dollar funding under the Department of Energy (DOE) Fiscal Year 2023 Vehicle Technologies Office (VTO) Program Wide Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA-0002893).

Key Points: 
  • PITTSBURGH, Jan. 31, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Coherent Corp. (NYSE: COHR), a global leader in engineered materials, has been selected for multimillion-dollar funding under the Department of Energy (DOE) Fiscal Year 2023 Vehicle Technologies Office (VTO) Program Wide Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA-0002893).
  • This funding will accelerate the development of Coherent’s patented chemical immobilization technology for lithium sulfur (Li-S) battery cells to meet next-generation electric vehicle (EV) requirements.
  • Coherent will build demonstration cells that target energy densities exceeding today’s best-in-class EV batteries while retaining more than 80% of their original capacity after 1,000 recharging cycles.
  • As such, sulfur cathodes have the potential to both secure supply chains and support the strong and growing EV market.

Dragonfly Energy Drives the John Lennon Educational Tour Bus Toward Sustainability

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, January 30, 2024

The John Lennon Educational Tour Bus is now powered by Battle Born Batteries’ nontoxic lithium batteries, moving the nonprofit mobile recording studio toward improved sustainability.

Key Points: 
  • The John Lennon Educational Tour Bus is now powered by Battle Born Batteries’ nontoxic lithium batteries, moving the nonprofit mobile recording studio toward improved sustainability.
  • (Nasdaq: DFLI) (“Dragonfly Energy” or the “Company”), maker of Battle Born BatteriesTM and an industry leader in energy storage, today announced a partnership with the John Lennon Educational Tour Bus (the “Lennon Bus”), now powered by Battle Born Batteries.
  • “As we looked to upgrade and improve the bus in various aspects, moving to lithium was an obvious solution to explore,” Brian Rothschild, co-founder of the John Lennon Educational Tour Bus, said.
  • “We're thrilled to partner with the John Lennon Educational Tour Bus and provide them with the sustainable energy they need to keep their musical education rolling across the country,” Tyler Bourns, Chief Marketing Officer at Dragonfly Energy, said.

EAM Completes Acquisition of LFP Cathode Technology Center in Germany, Plans for Commercial Scale Production for Global Supply Chain

Retrieved on: 
Friday, February 2, 2024

With the purchase, EAM is poised to make India the first country in Asia outside of China to manufacture LFP cathode materials.

Key Points: 
  • With the purchase, EAM is poised to make India the first country in Asia outside of China to manufacture LFP cathode materials.
  • Approximately 70% of cathode materials, and 100% of LFP cathode, for lithium-ion batteries are currently produced in China.
  • “This acquisition reaffirms our commitment to delivering cutting-edge solutions to the evolving EV battery market,” said Vikram Handa, managing director of EAM.
  • The center is equipped to produce LFP and lithium manganese iron phosphate (LMFP) cathode in small laboratory-scale batches to up pilot-scale material.

EnerSys® Launches NexSys® AIR Wireless Charger for AGVs

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, January 31, 2024

EnerSys® (NYSE:ENS), the global leader in stored energy solutions for industrial applications, has announced the launch of its NexSys® AIR wireless charger.

Key Points: 
  • EnerSys® (NYSE:ENS), the global leader in stored energy solutions for industrial applications, has announced the launch of its NexSys® AIR wireless charger.
  • Engineered for a wide range of Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs), the new NexSys® AIR wireless charger boasts an advanced, space-saving design to automate charging and eliminate maintenance, giving facilities and AGV Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) a safe and convenient solution that eliminates physical connections.
  • The NexSys® AIR wireless charger features contact-free charging pads, eliminating the maintenance and wear associated with physical charging connections.
  • Capable of charging traditional flooded lead acid, Thin Plate Pure Lead (TPPL) and lithium-ion batteries, the NexSys® AIR wireless charger can handle a range of AGVs, charging schedules and facility locations, ensuring more flexibility and reliability for automated operations.

CyberPower Expands Smart App Sinewave UPS Series to Include Lithium-Iron Models

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, January 31, 2024

Cyber Power Systems (USA), Inc. , a leader in power protection and power management products, announced today the expansion of its Smart App Sinewave UPS (uninterruptible power supply) series with the launch of two models featuring lithium-iron phosphate battery technology.

Key Points: 
  • Cyber Power Systems (USA), Inc. , a leader in power protection and power management products, announced today the expansion of its Smart App Sinewave UPS (uninterruptible power supply) series with the launch of two models featuring lithium-iron phosphate battery technology.
  • With a battery life of up to 10 years, the UPS systems provide a longer product lifecycle than systems with conventional batteries.
  • “These next-generation, lithium UPS systems offer all the advantages of our recently refreshed line of Smart App Sinewave UPS systems but with even less maintenance and a longer product lifecycle,” said Jake Shevik, senior product manager at CyberPower.
  • The new CyberPower Smart App Sinewave UPS systems with lithium-iron batteries are available in outputs of 1500 VA/1500 Watts, model PRL1500RT2UC ; and 3000 VA/3000 Watts, model PRL3000RT2UC .