A General Discussion of Li Ion Battery Safety

TLDR

Li‑ion battery safety is increasingly viewed as a key performance requirement for commercial and vehicular use, yet most advanced materials are developed primarily for performance metrics and safety is often evaluated only after development, highlighting the need for balanced safety and performance considerations. The study aims to develop safer battery systems by improving cell thermal stability and integrating rigorous safety controls into pack and vehicle designs. The authors propose enhancing cell thermal stability and adopting new pack and vehicle designs with redundant safety controls, emphasizing safety as a primary consideration during material selection.

Abstract

Safety response of Li ion batteries is increasingly recognized as a critical performance requirement for commercial adoption of this chemistry, especially in large scale vehicular applications. The development of increasingly safe battery systems requires continued improvements in cell thermal stability as well as new pack and vehicle designs with rigorous and redundant safety controls. There are many advanced materials being developed and characterized in industry, universities, and national laboratories for Li ion batteries. These materials are often developed primarily for improved performance such as energy density, specific energy, power capability, low temperature response, cycle lifetime, and cost. Safety is often a property determined after the development phase. Safety and thermal stability should become a prime consideration in the initial development and material selection process. There is certainly no need for a "safe" battery that does not perform but also there is no need for a high performance battery that is unsafe.