Photoionisation detection (PID) sensors are in a position to detect potential issues earlier than they happen within the manufacture and use of lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries, and the big number of units that use rechargeable batteries.
The secure utilisation of Li-ion batteries is a key concern for the builders of apparatus akin to electrical autos, e-bikes, cell phones and laptops. The dangers posed by Li-ion batteries have been highlighted by numerous high-profile incidents. In 2006 and 2007, for instance, tens of millions of laptops and cell phones had been recalled as a consequence of security fears regarding their Li-ion batteries, and in 2013, a Boeing 787 was grounded following electrical points with the Li-ion battery within the plane’s auxiliary energy unit.
Famously, in 2016, round 2.5 million cell phones needed to be recalled after complaints of overheating and exploding batteries. Intensive investigations revealed inadequate insulation materials throughout the batteries and a design that didn’t present adequate house to soundly accommodate the batteries’ electrodes, leading to thermal runaway, which happens when temperatures are raised by thermal or mechanical failure, brief circuiting, or electrical abuse. In newer information, there was a 60% improve in e-bike fires in London in 2023 in comparison with 2022, and this quantity will proceed to rise. On account of the magnitude of this drawback, and the worldwide publicity which ensues, demand is rising for sensing know-how that may detect defective Li-ion batteries, throughout each manufacturing and operation.
The primary security hazards related to failing Li-ion batteries are the ignition of the battery cell and/or the emissions of poisonous gases. These gases embrace unstable natural compounds (VOCs), which means delicate VOC sensors can be utilized to verify the situation of those batteries – both inside transportable detectors or in course of/plant monitoring tools.
The anode in rechargeable Li-ion batteries is usually graphite, the cathode is a metallic ox-ide, and the electrolyte is often a lithium salt in a (flammable) natural solvent. This elec-trolyte consists of compounds akin to ethyl methyl carbonate (EMC) which is thought to be among the many gases emitted by a defective Li-ion battery. Conveniently, EMC may be detected by ION Science’s PID, so the builders of monitoring techniques and tools are in a position to design applied sciences that utilise ION’s MiniPID sensors.
The Response Elements for VOCs generally utilized in Li-ion battery electrolytes are pre-sented in Desk 1: Analysis of chemical compounds utilized in lithium-ion batteries.
Attributable to their specificity, PID sensors are essentially the most generally employed know-how for the detection of VOCs, and ION’s MiniPID vary consists of essentially the most delicate PID sensor on the planet, which makes it supreme for the detection of hint leaks from defective Li-ion batteries.
Summarising, Peter Morris from ION Science says: “Potential clients for our PID sensors in Li-ion battery functions embrace the builders of transportable devices, in addition to the designers of monitoring techniques for processes inside battery manufacturing, in addition to within the manufacture of EVs, e-bikes, laptops, tablets, telephones and lots of others.”
(phrases: ION Science)
References:
Nedjalkov, A.et Al. Poisonous Gasoline Emissions from Broken Lithium Ion Batteries—Evaluation and Security Enhancement Answer. Batteries 2016, 2, 5. https://doi.org/10.3390/batteries2010005
https://information.samsung.com/international/infographic-galaxy-note7-what-we-discovered
