Today, time has changed completely. We have become highly dependable upon our technical instruments or gadgets. Many a times we do not realize that we are actually covered with explosives. Our Smart phones, Laptops, Mobile Phones, Car, Two – Wheeler, Plane, etc… are equipped with Lithium Ion Batteries. Every now or then we come to know about a tragic moment wherein the gadgets explodes and cause serious harm and damage to the user. The damage can be caused to the property or the user himself. Our smart phones, tablet, etc… tend to explode when we carry them in our pocket, or keep on charging or let it come in touch with heating products. There are several reasons including the negligence of the user. The biggest reason of such incidents is that Lithium Ion Batteries are highly flammable in nature. They can heat up and burst at any moment of time. Not only smart phones but even car and plane also have lithium ion batteries in them.
There are incidents in past which have seen adverse damages due to Lithium-ion battery. The Boeing’s 787 Dreamliner aircraft has been asked to stop take off due to the problem that is caused to lithium-ion packs. Why is lithium ion battery flammable? When the batteries feel the pressure, the electrolyte of battery charges up and become flammable. Hence, these lithium – ion battery become flammable. There is indeed good news for all of us. The lithium ion batteries also blast when they it is plugged in wrong circuits. Apart from this, if there is a manufacturing defect or fault in the battery, then also it can explode.
The scientists of University of North Carolina have developed a non-flammable Lithium Ion Battery. This has become possible because the electrolyte in the regular lithium – ion battery has been replaced with perfluoropolyether (PFPE). The perfluoropolyether (PFPE) is an industrial lubricate that is non-flammable in nature. PFPE is highly used in marine life for preventing sea creatures from sticking beneath the boats. The research lead Joseph DeSimone summarized, “These electrolytes not only are completely nonflammable, but they also exhibit unprecedented high transference numbers and low electrochemical polarization, indicative of longer battery life.” The researchers found that if a lithium salt is dissolved in PFPE then it will prevent the battery from catching flames. However, this will add to the years of battery life.
Researchers are still working on nonflammable lithium ion batteries. The study on this is going on. However there is a hope for the scientists that such thing can really happen. Also, scientists are trying to find out whether these batteries will not catch fire even if they are kept on charging for prolonged hours. In case the product becomes a huge success, then the researchers need to find the way out for mass production.
The advent of non flammable lithium ion battery will be a great help for people. The research team is striving hard to produce this product completely and launch it as soon as possible in market.
