Technology has already been tested on mini-batteries, it is planned to use it for smartphones and even electric vehicles

Scientists of st. Petersburg state university (spbsu) have developed a polymeric layer to protect lithium-ion batteries from explosions and fires. This polymer, applied between the foil and cathode layers, provides electricity, but as soon as the voltage is higher than the battery's intended voltage, the compound is oxidized and no current is produced. Thanks to this battery smartphone or electric vehicle is not overheated and is not able to ignite itself, as claimed by the developers of the development.

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Scientists noted that in Russia a month there are about 10 cases of ignition or explosion of smartphone batteries. The most common reason for this is short circuit, which can occur, for example, as a result of external damage, when using the device in cold conditions or high currents charge-discharge. No manufacturer guarantees that the circuit will not occur, so the battery needs protection from fire, according to Russian experts.

The compound created in the spbsu is an organic chain containing nickel atoms. Under standard conditions, the polymer produces electric current, but when oxidation or recovery occurs, it changes to a different chemical state and loses this ability. In the battery with the applied polymer layer, if the voltage rises above a certain limit, the circuit will open immediately, as the substance immediately stops the current, the same happens in the short circuit. Specialists have already conducted stress tests on small batteries the size of a coin, which are used in smart watches. The test showed that if the voltage went beyond the range of 2.8 volts (at these values battery discharge stops) to 5 volts (battery charger voltage for smartphones), the protection worked with efficiency of 100%. In addition, the polymer layer has almost no effect on the capacity and performance of the battery, reducing them by no more than 10%. Now scientists are negotiating with investors, their goal is to scale up production and set up serial production of new safe batteries.