
Indian researchers develop new way to enhance lithium-ion battery safety
However, these separators often fail under real-world conditions, as internal battery temperatures can easily surpass this threshold, leading to dangerous thermal runaway—a phenomenon that can cause fires or explosions.The Shiv Nadar team's new approach leverages chemistry, not just materials engineering. Their electrolyte is engineered using Diels – Alder click chemistry, combining vinylene carbonate and 2,5-dimethylfuran.
Under normal conditions, it functions just like commercial electrolytes. (Photo: Shiv Nadar)
Under normal conditions, it functions just like commercial electrolytes. But when the battery's temperature rises above 100C — a critical warning sign — the Diels – Alder reaction is triggered.This reaction produces polymeric materials that simultaneously block lithium-ion movement and clog the separator's micropores, effectively shutting down the battery's operation before it can reach hazardous temperatures.advertisement'This two-stage protection mechanism provides a built-in safety buffer, giving users critical time before any catastrophic failure occurs,' explained lead researcher Professor Arnab Ghosh.'Unlike conventional polymer separators, which often fail above 160C due to thermal shrinkage, our thermoresponsive electrolyte ceases lithium-ion transport as soon as the temperature exceeds 100–120C. This limits further internal temperature rise and significantly reduces the risk of fire or explosion,' he added.The shift from passive to active safety mechanisms could revolutionise battery safety standards across industries.By halting battery operation at lower, safer temperatures, this technology offers enhanced protection for a wide range of applications— from consumer electronics to electric vehicles — potentially saving lives and property.The breakthrough shows India's growing leadership in battery research, positioning Shiv Nadar Institution of Eminence at the forefront of global efforts to make energy storage safer and more reliable.
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News18
5 days ago
- News18
Science Takes A Bold Leap With Three-Parent Babies. Is India Ready For It?
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While science is fascinating, it is complex as well and, in this case, involves cultural implications—especially for a country like India. How Do Three People Make A Baby? Let's unpack how these so-called 'three-parent" babies are created. Mitochondrial DNA makes up a tiny fraction—about 0.1 per cent—of our total genetic code, but it plays an outsized role in powering organs such as the brain and heart. In MRT, a fertilised embryo created from the biological parents' egg and sperm is transplanted into a healthy donor egg from which the nucleus has been removed. The nucleus, carrying the intended parents' genetic material, is inserted into the donor egg, which contains healthy mitochondria. The resulting embryo thus carries nuclear DNA from the mother and father and mitochondrial DNA from the donor—three sources, one baby. As Dr Sonu Taxak, fertility & IVF specialist at Yellow Fertility Centre, explains, 'the baby carries DNA from three people—nuclear DNA from both biological parents and a small amount (less than 1 per cent) of mitochondrial DNA from the donor. 'However, this doesn't affect the baby's traits or appearance." This technique holds tremendous value for women carrying mitochondrial mutations who fear passing on debilitating or fatal disorders. Until now, they had no preventive options. Taxak calls it a 'revolutionary option" for women who carry mitochondrial mutations but still wish to have genetically related children without passing on the condition. Dr Asmita Mahajan, consultant neonatologist and paediatrician at SL Raheja Hospital, told News18 that 'the technology is intended for children at high risk of inherited mitochondrial diseases, which can affect vital organs like heart, brain and so on, causing seizures, developmental delay, blindness, deafness, etc". 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The ethical debate should not be about the number of genetic contributors, but about the intent — to give a child a healthy start in life. Get breaking news, in-depth analysis, and expert perspectives on everything from politics to crime and society. Stay informed with the latest India news only on News18. Download the News18 App to stay updated! tags : dna gene editing health matters IVF mitochondria news18 specials view comments Location : New Delhi, India, India First Published: July 21, 2025, 13:03 IST News india Science Takes A Bold Leap With Three-Parent Babies. Is India Ready For It? Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

The Hindu
14-07-2025
- The Hindu
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India Today
20-06-2025
- India Today
Indian researchers develop new way to enhance lithium-ion battery safety
In a major leap toward enhancing lithium-ion battery safety, researchers at Shiv Nadar Institution of Eminence have unveiled a groundbreaking thermoresponsive electrolyte that actively prevents catastrophic battery innovation, recently published in the prestigious journal Advanced Functional Materials, promises to transform the safety landscape for devices powered by lithium-ion batteries, including smartphones, laptops, and electric lithium-ion batteries rely on polymer separators for safety, which are designed to melt or shrink at around 160C to halt battery However, these separators often fail under real-world conditions, as internal battery temperatures can easily surpass this threshold, leading to dangerous thermal runaway—a phenomenon that can cause fires or Shiv Nadar team's new approach leverages chemistry, not just materials engineering. Their electrolyte is engineered using Diels – Alder click chemistry, combining vinylene carbonate and 2,5-dimethylfuran. Under normal conditions, it functions just like commercial electrolytes. (Photo: Shiv Nadar) Under normal conditions, it functions just like commercial electrolytes. But when the battery's temperature rises above 100C — a critical warning sign — the Diels – Alder reaction is reaction produces polymeric materials that simultaneously block lithium-ion movement and clog the separator's micropores, effectively shutting down the battery's operation before it can reach hazardous two-stage protection mechanism provides a built-in safety buffer, giving users critical time before any catastrophic failure occurs,' explained lead researcher Professor Arnab Ghosh.'Unlike conventional polymer separators, which often fail above 160C due to thermal shrinkage, our thermoresponsive electrolyte ceases lithium-ion transport as soon as the temperature exceeds 100–120C. This limits further internal temperature rise and significantly reduces the risk of fire or explosion,' he shift from passive to active safety mechanisms could revolutionise battery safety standards across halting battery operation at lower, safer temperatures, this technology offers enhanced protection for a wide range of applications— from consumer electronics to electric vehicles — potentially saving lives and breakthrough shows India's growing leadership in battery research, positioning Shiv Nadar Institution of Eminence at the forefront of global efforts to make energy storage safer and more reliable.