LG Chem has announced a significant advancement in battery safety technology with the development of a temperature-responsive Safety Reinforced Layer (SRL) designed to suppress thermal runaway in lithium-ion batteries. This breakthrough, achieved by the company’s Platform Technology R&D team, could potentially reduce the risk of fires in electric vehicles and other battery-powered devices.
The SRL is a composite material that functions as a “fuse,” altering its electrical resistance in response to temperature changes. Measuring just one micrometer in thickness, the layer is positioned between the cathode and current collector within the battery cell. When temperatures exceed normal operating ranges (90°C to 130°C), the material’s molecular structure changes, effectively blocking the flow of current and preventing thermal runaway.
Thermal runaway, a primary cause of battery fires, occurs when internal short circuits lead to rapid temperature increases. The SRL’s ability to quickly interrupt this process at its early stages is expected to significantly enhance battery safety.
LG Chem’s research, conducted in collaboration with POSTECH and LG Energy Solution, has demonstrated promising results in both impact and penetration tests. Batteries equipped with the SRL showed markedly improved safety performance compared to standard batteries.
The company has completed safety verification for mobile batteries and plans to continue testing on large-capacity electric vehicle batteries through next year. LG Chem’s Chief Technology Officer, Lee Jong-gu, emphasized the potential for rapid application of this technology in mass production processes.
This development represents a notable step forward in addressing safety concerns surrounding electric vehicle batteries, potentially boosting consumer confidence and advancing the adoption of electric vehicles.
Source: LG Chem
