While lithium batteries have opened a whole new world of portable, rechargeable and handheld devices for the general public, they’ve brought with them a very real threat of battery fires.
Airlines and postage services have been forced to restrict the size and type of batteries for luggage and shipments, and the ACCC recently released guidelines on the safe use and storage of lithium batteries, specifically with the goal of preventing “deadly fires”.
A new class of rechargeable, portable battery is seeking to address lithium’s safety issues, using graphene to stabilise lithium-ion battery packs and remove the threat of fire.
Literally bulletproof
The latest graphene battery to hit the market is targeted specifically at e-bikes and mid-sized devices – Nanotech Energy's 18650 cell.
Suitable for e-bikes, robotics, medical and military applications, Nanotech says the batteries have been put through their paces with extensive stress testing, even enduring being shot by a literal bullet.
The battery combines graphene material engineering with a proprietary electrolyte that doesn’t catch fire or explode under stress.
With a working range of -40 degrees to +60 Celsius, these new lithium-graphene batteries represent the next wave of innovation for the lithium-ion market, as the tech industry continues to innovate and improve this new energy frontier.
"It has been a privilege to work with the talented team at Nanotech to help develop this groundbreaking American-made battery cell,” said Voltaplex and Soteria CEO Brian Morin, Nanotech Energy’s commercialisation partner.
“Combining Nanotech's non-flammable electrolyte with Soteria's current collector that acts like a fuse inside the battery provides a unique combination of safety in a cell that can take tremendous damage without igniting.
“With over 100 companies having already preordered the cell, we look forward to working with the industry to implement this new level of safety."