Volkswagen-backed battery developer 24M Technologies has shared test data showing its Impervio separation technology, which helps reduce the risk of EV battery burns. The video below shows a side-by-side comparison of conventional EV cells with and without Impervio's overcharged separator in real time, showing the potential of the technology in the future.
24M Technologies is a US-based battery startup out of MIT that has redesigned the conventional battery cell using lithium-ion “SemiSolid” technology. Potential benefits of these unique cells include 40% less production space, efficient product recycling, and less CO.2 during battery manufacturing.
In December 2021, we shared the news that the Volkswagen Group has invested in the battery specialist as part of three different partnerships to advance EV battery development and related technologies.
With VW money In support, 24M announced a new EV battery recycling method called “Liforever” this past March. This method is used directly in the battery manufacturing process as a way to recycle all active battery materials such as lithium iron phosphate (LFP) in an efficient and cost-effective way while bypassing the creation of black mass entirely.
In January 2024, 24M introduced a new method of battery separators called “Impervio,” which addresses the growing concern of fire in all EV battery cells, energy storage systems (ESS), and consumer applications when overcharged. You can learn more about how Impervio's 24M separator helps reduce the risk of EV battery burns in the company's explainer video here.
Recently, 24M shared test data that clearly demonstrates the power of its Impervio separator, EV battery cells that overcharge with and without technology in real time. The results are encouraging.
24M data showing its separator lowers the EV battery fire
As a follow-up to its initial announcement earlier this year, 24M Technologies has shared real test data showing how effective its Impervio technology can be in preventing EV battery burnout.
24M explained that overcharging a battery cell, such as those used in EVs, can lead to dendrite formation and an internal short, which can lead to a fire or, worse, an explosion. The Impervio separator prevents dendrite propagation by controlling the cell at each electrode level, thus preventing dendrites from spreading and becoming defective. 24M also shared that its technology can prevent thermal discharge by monitoring the electrochemistry of the cell and implementing a failsafe in the event of a timeout.
The company shared the following video of side-by-side performance tests of two different 10 Ah NMC/graphite cells, one with an Impervio separator and one with a conventional separator, charged to 100%, and then overcharged to 100% overcapacity or twice. specified maximum voltage.
As you can see in the video, the non-Impervio, off-the-shelf cells overheated with small dendrite-induced shorts after 15 minutes, causing the battery to inevitably explode and catch fire after 38 minutes. The NMC cell with Impervio's 24M technology, however, did not overheat or catch fire after an hour of overcharging. 24M Technologies president and CEO expands on the strengths of the company's Impervio separators:
Battery safety is a major roadblock to the widespread adoption of EVs. Recent EV fires around the world have highlighted why innovation in battery safety is needed. A sustainable energy future is only possible with innovations like Impervio, which can help prevent battery burnout and create new opportunities for battery innovation.
It will be interesting and exciting to see Impervio's 24M technology implemented on a larger scale, as EV battery burnout, although rare, is still a major concern for OEMs and consumers alike. It would also be good to remove the point of talking about EV fire risk in the debate from naysayers and political pundits as an argument against EV adoption.
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