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Household brand LG has developed an electric vehicle battery component that’s a hundred times smaller than the diameter of a human hair.
But don’t let the size fool you, as the material can prevent EV fires “like a fuse” by blocking “the reaction path” at the start of battery overheating. The material is an improvement on other solutions because it acts more quickly to stop fires, according to a news release from the South Korean company.
“This is a tangible research achievement that can be applied to mass production in a short period,” LG Chief Technology Officer Lee Jong-gu said in the summary.
At issue are well-publicized EV battery fires that can be severe. It’s important to note that while concerning, EVs are less likely to catch fire than gas-powered cars, as the Boston Globe reported.
But no one will argue against a fireproof power pack, and that’s what LG is working to provide.
Fascinatingly, the ultra-thin material can change its molecular structure with battery temperature fluctuations, suppressing the current flow when needed. This prevents dreaded thermal runaway, a short-circuit causing temperatures to heighten uncontrollably to more than 1,800 degrees Fahrenheit, often leading to a fire.
Once the temperature returns to a safe level, the material reverses operation, allowing current to flow again, as described by LG and ScienceDirect.
