Lithium Jelly Batteries are safer, thinner, and cheaper than conventional lithium batteries

Researchers from the University of Leeds have announced that they have devised a new type of battery that is safer, thinner, and cheaper to build than current lithium batteries. The new battery uses a jelly to replace the volatile liquid electrolytes used in current lithium batteries. That means that if the battery is punctured, the electrolyte will not leak.

The jelly battery also stops thermal runaway, which is what happens when a battery suddenly overheats and can lead to fire. The jelly battery may also mean thinner notebooks and EVs that are more efficient and have a longer driving range. The jelly battery has no thermal runaway potential so some of the heavy and complex thermal protection gear on a battery for an EV could be removed.

The jelly used in the battery looks like a solid, but it is actually 70% liquid electrolyte. The researchers are able to make the separation between the solid and liquid phase of the jelly at the point that the jelly hits the electrode. This battery could mean the end to fire hazard with modern laptops.

[via BBC News]