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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20-06-2025
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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.
