2009 R&D 100 Winner
The lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery has become the de facto rechargeable battery for most daily applications. Li-ion batteries (or packs of them), which feature much larger energy capacities, are now being used for heavy-duty applications such as electric or hybrid vehicles. Internal short-circuits, leading to thermal runaway, is a common safety concern, especially among heavy-duty, high-power applications. STOBA Battery Technology, pioneered by the Industrial Technology Research Institute, Hsinchu, Taiwan, employs a self-terminating hyper-branched oligomer in its battery architecture to minimize this risk. The system begins with a polymer devised by ITRI that is blended into the battery. The polymer is responsible for the suppression of thermal heat, even in the case of puncture or other catastrophic damage.
Technology
Self-terminating technology for lithium-ion batteries
Developer
Industrial Technology Research Institute
