Volkswagen-backed battery developer 24M Applied sciences has shared check knowledge showcasing its Impervio separator know-how, which helps cut back the chance of EV battery fires. The video footage beneath exhibits a side-by-side comparability of standard EV cells overcharged with and with out an Impervio separator in real-time, demonstrating the know-how’s potential sooner or later.
24M Applied sciences is a US-based battery startup spun out of MIT that has redesigned the standard battery cell utilizing “SemiSolid” lithium-ion know-how. Potential advantages of those distinctive cells embrace 40% much less manufacturing space, extra environment friendly product recycling, and fewer CO2 throughout battery manufacturing.
In December 2021, we shared the information that Volkswagen Group had invested within the battery specialist as a part of three separate partnerships to advance EV battery cell improvement and adjoining applied sciences.
With VW’s monetary assist, 24M introduced a novel method to EV battery recycling referred to as “Liforever” this previous March. This method is applied straight into the battery manufacturing course of as a way to recycle all lively battery supplies like lithium iron phosphate (LFP) extra effectively and cost-effectively whereas bypassing the creation of black mass fully.
In January 2024, 24M launched a brand new method to battery separators referred to as “Impervio,” which addresses the rising concern of fireside throughout EV battery cells, power storage programs (ESS), and shopper functions when they’re overcharged. You possibly can study extra about how 24M’s Impervio separator helps cut back the chance of EV battery fires in the corporate’s explainer video right here.
Most not too long ago, 24M shared check knowledge that visually demonstrates the potential of its Impervio separator, overcharging EV battery cells with and with out the know-how in actual time. The outcomes are encouraging.
24M knowledge that exhibits its separator reduces EV battery fires
As a observe as much as its preliminary announcement earlier this yr, 24M Applied sciences has shared precise check knowledge that displays how efficient its Impervio know-how might be at stopping EV battery fires.
24M defined that overcharging a battery cell, like these utilized in EVs, can result in dendrite formation and an inside brief, which may end up in a hearth or, even worse, an explosion. The Impervio separator obstructs dendrite propagation by controlling the cell on the particular person electrode stage, thus stopping dendrites from propagating and faulting. 24M additionally shared that its know-how can forestall thermal runaway by monitoring a cell’s electrochemistry and implementing a failsafe within the occasion of a shorting out.
The corporate shared the next video of a side-by-side efficiency check of two separate 10 Ah NMC/graphite cells, one with an Impervio separator and one with a traditional separator, charged to 100%, then overcharged to 100% overcapacity or twice the desired most voltage.
As you’ll be able to see within the video, the non-Impervio, off-the-shelf cells overheated through dendrite-caused micro shorts after quarter-hour, inflicting the battery to inevitably explode and catch fireplace after 38 minutes. The NMC cell with 24M’s Impervio know-how, nonetheless, didn’t overheat or catch fireplace after a complete hour of overcharging. 24M Applied sciences president and CEO elaborated on the potential of the corporate’s Impervio separators:
Battery security is a significant roadblock to the widespread adoption of EVs. Current EV fires across the globe have highlighted why new battery security improvements are required. A sustainable power future is simply doable with improvements like Impervio, which might help forestall battery fires and create new alternatives for battery innovation
Will probably be attention-grabbing and thrilling to see 24M’s Impervio know-how applied at a mass scale, as EV battery fires, though uncommon, are nonetheless a significant concern for OEMs and shoppers alike. It will even be good to take away the speaking level about EV fireplace danger from the dialog from naysayers and political pundits as an argument in opposition to EV adoption.
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