Li-ion batteries are at the forefront of clean energy storage, powering portable electronics to electric vehicles, being increasingly used in the marine and rail sectors, and soon to be adopted in aviation. However, Li-ion batteries can on rare occasions catastrophically fail in a process known as Thermal Runaway.
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Under normal operation, the heat generated by charging/discharging a battery can easily be dissipated and the cell remains at a safe temperature. But, under abuse, additional heat is generated leading to an increase in temperature within the cell which causes the battery’s materials to break down exothermically, generating further heat. This progresses in a positive feedback loop leading to temperatures over 800℃ and temperature rates above 1000’s℃/min which cannot be controlled by practical battery thermal management systems.
The failure of a cell in this way can then propagate to neighbouring cells, and then through modules, leading to the complete loss of the battery pack. During this vast amounts of smoke, flammable gases and toxic gases are generated. In some circumstances, these flammable gases even led to disastrous explosions.
However, The Brown Group studies this phenomenon to better understand its causes and consequences to help develop safer batteries and battery systems. Our research covers the experimental abuse testing of Li-ion batteries to determine their resilience to thermal runaway and how severely they fail. Collaborating within the university we also investigate sensors for detecting thermal runaway, including ultrasound sensors.
We also carry out computational modelling, at a material, cell, module and systems level to predict the outcome of abuse and its uncertainty under various scenarios.
Our experience has led to reviews that are well-received by academia and industry alike. Including “Review of Gas Emissions from Lithium-ion Battery Thermal Runaway Failure – Considering Toxic and Flammable Compounds” and “Identifying the Unique Risks Posed by Thermal Runaway of Li-ion Batteries in Marine Energy Storage System Applications - Analysing Past Incidents, Current Guidelines and Future Mitigation Measures”. With this, we have worked with, and welcome other, OEMs to understand real-world scenarios of Li-ion battery failure.
The failure of a cell in this way can then propagate to neighbouring cells, and then through modules, leading to the complete loss of the battery pack. During this vast amounts of smoke, flammable gases and toxic gases are generated. In some circumstances, these flammable gases even led to disastrous explosions.
However, The Brown Group studies this phenomenon to better understand its causes and consequences to help develop safer batteries and battery systems. Our research covers the experimental abuse testing of Li-ion batteries to determine their resilience to thermal runaway and how severely they fail. Collaborating within the university we also investigate sensors for detecting thermal runaway, including ultrasound sensors.
We also carry out computational modelling, at a material, cell, module and systems level to predict the outcome of abuse and its uncertainty under various scenarios.
Our experience has led to reviews that are well-received by academia and industry alike. Including “Review of Gas Emissions from Lithium-ion Battery Thermal Runaway Failure – Considering Toxic and Flammable Compounds” and “Identifying the Unique Risks Posed by Thermal Runaway of Li-ion Batteries in Marine Energy Storage System Applications - Analysing Past Incidents, Current Guidelines and Future Mitigation Measures”. With this, we have worked with, and welcome other, OEMs to understand real-world scenarios of Li-ion battery failure.
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