All news
Fire-fighting material created for batteries
According to the researchers, if the battery catches fire due to thermal runaway, the flames can spread from one element to another. The experts at the American company have proposed using a substance called aerogel, which can stop the combustion process.
Aerogel insulation can at least slow the rate at which a fire spreads through a battery and put it out as much as possible. According to Aspen Aerogels CEO Donald Young, the incident means that EV owners “will have one non-functioning testicle instead of being left with a car that melted in a fire.”
The authors of MIT Technology Review note that installing aerogel costs $300-$1,000 per vehicle traction battery. In addition, the battery capacity will inevitably decrease somewhat due to the use of materials.
Automakers General Motors, Toyota and Audi are already buying the new material from Aspen Aerogels. The company also recently received a $670.6 million loan from the U.S. Department of Energy to build a new plant.
In early October, a new material was revealed that eliminates the causes of battery overheating and fire. The LG Chem researchers who developed it said it could protect batteries from thermal runaway and fire.