14 DAY TRIAL // We've said it before, and we'll say it again: the better part of all research is done by graduate and undergraduate students, and this new method of making batteries safer is proof of that.
Discovered by Washington State University graduate student Yu “Will” Wang, albeit under the supervision of Professor Katie Zhong, the new technology reduces the chances of lithium batteries catching fire.
As odd as it may sound, his idea was inspired by chewing gum and the way it sticks. His idea was that if he managed to fill the insides of a battery with it, it would be harder for the battery to catch fire.
And he was right. The gum, while a lot stickier than chewing gum, actually does do what it's supposed to.
It is part liquid and part solid and consists of particles of a solid material like wax, mixed with a standard electrolyte.
As long as it remains copacetic, ions can easily travel through the gum between the anode and cathode, creating electricity in the process.
So it's like adding an ingredient to the electrolyte solution without actually affecting its effectiveness in any way whatsoever.
But when the battery's insides gain too much heat, the wax melts and severs the anode/cathode connection, shutting everything down.
Thus, if ever the battery suffers a failure or damage that causes it to overheat, you'll never actually reach the point where it bursts into flames.
We imagine that it will be a wonderful boon not to have to recall batteries due to fire hazard. Granted, a defect would probably demand the same, but at least the customers won't be at risk of suffering more than annoyance at their device losing all energy.
That said, the material is flexible and retains conductivity even after being deformed, meaning that it could be used in flexible electronics as well. No clue how soon it will be integrated into real-world battery and device designs though.