Developer Touts Non-Flammable Lithium-Ion Battery System

Stafford, Tex.-based Microvast Inc. says it has developed a non-flammable battery technology for lithium-ion batteries.

The design includes improvements to the battery's electrolyte, separator and overall architecture. Microvast says the new system can be fully charged in less than15 minutes and has a cycle life of more than 10,000 charges.

The new membrane separator has a higher melting point than standard lithium-ion batteries, allowing it to remain stable at temperatures as high as 300°C—more than twice that of traditional designs, according to Microvast. This reduces the chance of thermal runaway in and short circuiting.

In addition, the new battery features what Microvast describes as “smart thermal liquid” (STL) technology. The battery module is immersed in liquid to help insulate it, reduce temperatures and isolate thermal runaway points from air in the case of short circuiting.

STL also serves as a flame retarder and manages circulation to help balance temperature differences inside the battery. And it can be used to detect leaks within the battery pack, Microvast says.

The company notes that its battery systems have been installed in more than 10,000 electric buses worldwide since the company was founded in 2006. The bulk of the applications are in China and Europe.