Nonflammable Lithium Ion Battery Developed

In studying a material that prevents marine life from sticking to the bottom of ships, researchers led by chemist Joseph DeSimone at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill have identified a surprising replacement for the only inherently flammable component of today's lithium-ion batteries:  the electrolyte.

The work, to be published in the Feb. 10 issue of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, paves the way for developing a new generation lithium-ion battery that doesn't spontaneously combust at high temperatures.  The discovery also has the potential to renew consumer confidence in a technology that has attracted significant concern -- namely, after recent lithium battery fires in Boeing 787 Dreamliners and Tesla Model S vehicles.

Nonflammable Lithium Ion Battery Developed