Kevlar-insulated batteries could lead to safer, slimmer gadgets

[Shawn Knight]

Research regarding new battery technology typically centers on extending battery life or reducing recharge times but that’s not the only hurdle we face. While not overly obvious, the lithium-ion batteries we use on a daily basis can be quite dangerous, especially as they age.

Lithium-ion batteries, like those inside smartphones and tablets, generate current by passing ions from electrode to electrode along a set path. The electrodes are lined with an insulating membrane that prevents the ions from simply jumping between electrodes at will.

Over time, however, the lithium-ion atoms can branch out and form dendrite-like structures that have the potential to break through the insulation and create a short circuit between electrodes. When this happens, the results can be deadly.

Scientists at the University of Michigan believe they’ve stumbled upon a solution that could make batteries much safer: Kevlar.

By replacing traditional insulation material with thin sheets of heat-resistant Kevlar, the dendrite growths can effectively be blocked from reaching other electrodes. Best yet, because they are so thin, more electrodes can be packed into a battery to increase its energy output.

We’ve covered a bunch of promising battery technology here at TechSpot but the majority of implementations are still far away. Such isn’t the case here as Kevlar-insulated batteries are expected to enter production sometime next year and could show up in consumer devices as early as 2017.

Permalink to story.

https://www.techspot.com/news/59536-kevlar-insulated-batteries-could-lead-safer-slimmer-gadgets.html

 

[OneSpeed]

Maybe pack kevlar laced batteries onto a vest, and you have power on the go, with the added feature of entering a war zone.

 

[VitalyT]

A new battery technology,.....twitching the eye in distress...

 

[Skidmarksdeluxe]

As early as 2017? A lot of thing can change between now and 2017 but unfortunately battery tech isn't going to be one of them. **YAWN** So this exciting so called breakthrough has me jumping down with excitement .

 

[9Nails]

So many ground breaking discoveries found by Universities. Only a few become solutions put to use. Is that because once the University is paid for it's research, we learn it's too expensive to duplicate the results in a factory?

 

[Nobina]

Because we need slimmer gadgets.

 

[MilwaukeeMike]

So many ground breaking discoveries found by Universities. Only a few become solutions put to use. Is that because once the University is paid for it's research, we learn it's too expensive to duplicate the results in a factory?

most research firms need to show results to get funding the next time around. Universities are free to raise tuition and make students take 'padding' credits. For example, I went to business school and they made me take chemistry, cultural geography and anthropology. Oh, and art history, that was important too.

Now of course, I have no authority to say whether universities have far looser standards for research funding, but it wouldn't surprise me if they did.

 

[Guest]

One ME professors said that ME students should best learn about the business side of things and also learn about how non-profit organization works. Because of how ruthless non-profit organization are, you can learn many things in finding ways to persuade companies to fund the research and make them a reality for the outside world. Generally companies just are a hard to convince why what you research could benefit the world because they don't give a **** and only care if it makes money rather than how the research benefits everyone. And because of that, a lot of research have promising results but then gets shoved into the backroom closet never to be seen by the day of light again because those students and/or professors just have no idea how the companies operate or how to persuade them.

"These technology can help everyone around the world. The reason is-"
"Stop. How are we going to make money?"
"Well uhh... I'm not sure. I'm only a researcher... but it helps everyone?"
"I don't care. How can we make money?"
"Uhh... everyone gets free ice cream?"
"..."
*Project canned