Thermal Runaway: Why Hybrid Supercapacitors Offer a Safer Future
By: Julie Davis
Imagine a world where batteries don’t conjure images of explosions and fires – we’ve seen our fair share of them as of late. That’s the promise of Hybrid Supercapacitors, an innovative technology offering significant safety advantages over Lithium-ion batteries. Lithium-ion batteries are the most notorious type of battery known for thermal runaway, but all Lithium batteries have this potential risk. From cell phones to automobiles, thermal runaway is a real threat causing death and millions of dollars a year in damages. Shipping and airline companies have put in place controls and penalties for the transport of Lithium batteries, the concern is real. Let’s discuss the dangers of thermal runaway and explore how Hybrid Supercapacitors address this critical concern.
Thermal runaway, as defined by the UL Research Institute, is when the heat generated in a battery exceeds the amount of heat that the battery dissipates, and the temperature rises uncontrollably at a rate greater than 20 degrees Centigrade per minute. In most cases of thermal runaway, the cell temperature can rise to temperatures above 300 degrees Centigrade (that’s close to 600 degrees Fahrenheit). This phenomenon is accompanied by gas venting, smoke or flames or a combination of all of these. Thermal runaway is not as uncommon as many people think and is a real cause for alarm. Thermal runaway of Lithium-ion batteries can and often do lead to catastrophic events like fires, explosions, and equipment damage.
Lithium-ion batteries, widely used in our daily lives, are particularly susceptible to thermal runaway. Various factors, including:
- Mechanical failures: Manufacturing defects or impacts can trigger internal damage.
- Thermal abuse: Rapid charging/discharging or high ambient temperatures contribute to overheating.
- Physical abuse: Punctures or compression can destabilize the battery.
- Electrochemical abuse: Dendrite growth (irregular lithium deposits) can create internal short circuits.
These factors cause the battery’s internal temperature to rise rapidly, triggering the decomposition of its materials. As decomposition occurs, heat builds up faster than it can escape, leading to ignition or explosion. The domino effect can even propagate the runaway process to nearby batteries, posing a significant safety risk.
Hybrid Supercapacitors offer a game-changing solution by eliminating the very elements that cause thermal runaway in Lithium-ion batteries. Their unique design utilizes an asymmetric structure:
- Lithium-doped graphite anode: This material inherently possesses safer properties than Lithium-ion battery anodes.
- EDLC-activated carbon cathode: Unlike metal oxides used in Lithium-ion batteries, this eliminates the risk of excessive heat generation, effectively preventing thermal runaway.
Hybrid Supercapacitors went through extensive testing via an independent lab which resulted in their confirmation that our superior safety of our Hybrid Supercapacitors. They underwent rigorous abuse testing, including:
- Overcharging and over-discharging
- Short-circuiting
- Extreme temperature exposure
- Mechanical impacts
Remarkably, none of these tests resulted in chemical leaks, off-gassing, explosions, or thermal runaway. Even in extreme cases like nail penetration, the temperature rise was minimal, and any smoke quickly dissipated. While a detailed video of these tests exists, its uneventful nature might be likened to “watching paint dry.” However, these uneventful results are precisely what set Hybrid Supercapacitors apart – a testament to their remarkable safety. In addition, our product is undergoing rigorous safety testing to achieve UL certification. We have already received UL 810A and UL 9540A approvals, and UL 1973 certification is in progress.
In conclusion, Hybrid Supercapacitors represent a significant leap forward in battery safety. By eliminating the risk of thermal runaway, they offer a more reliable and environmentally friendly energy storage solution, paving the way for a safer and more sustainable future.
