What are the methods to improve the safety of lithium batteries?

Improving the safety of lithium batteries can be approached from various aspects such as material research and development, battery design, production processes, battery management systems, and usage and maintenance. The specific methods are as follows:

In terms of materials

Developing new positive electrode materials: Actively exploring and developing positive electrode materials with higher thermal stability and safety, such as lithium manganese based positive electrode materials, to improve the thermal stability and safety of batteries from the source.

Improving negative electrode materials: Developing new negative electrode materials such as silicon-based materials and optimizing their performance. By nanomaterializing and compounding silicon-based materials, their stability is improved, the growth of lithium dendrites is reduced, and the risk of short circuits is lowered.

Optimizing electrolyte: Using flame-retardant electrolyte or solid electrolyte can effectively reduce the risk of battery combustion and explosion. Solid state electrolytes have advantages such as non flammability and no leakage, which can significantly improve the safety of batteries.

In terms of battery design

Reasonable structural design: Adopting a more scientific battery structure, such as a laminated structure compared to a coiled structure, can reduce internal stress concentration and lower the risk of short circuits. At the same time, optimize parameters such as electrode spacing and separator thickness to ensure the stability inside the battery.

Add safety protection devices: Install safety valves, explosion-proof plates, and other safety devices inside the battery. When the internal pressure or temperature of the battery exceeds a threshold, the safety valve opens to release the pressure, and the explosion-proof plate prevents the battery from exploding in extreme situations, protecting the safety of the battery and the user.

In terms of production technology

Strict quality control: During the production process, the quality of raw materials is strictly controlled to ensure that the purity and performance of electrode materials, electrolytes, and other raw materials meet the requirements. Adopting advanced production equipment and processes to improve the automation and accuracy of production, and reducing the impact of human factors on battery quality.

Strengthen testing and monitoring: Establish a comprehensive testing system to rigorously inspect every aspect of battery production, including raw material testing, semi-finished product testing, and finished product testing. By utilizing online monitoring technology, key parameters in the production process can be monitored in real-time, and potential quality issues can be identified and resolved in a timely manner.

In terms of battery management system

Accurate parameter monitoring: Equipped with high-precision sensors, real-time and accurate monitoring of battery parameters such as voltage, current, temperature, SOC (State of Charge), etc., providing accurate data support for battery safety management.

Intelligent charging and discharging control: Based on the real-time status of the battery, intelligently adjust the charging and discharging strategy to prevent overcharging, overdischarging, and overcurrent of the battery. For example, using a constant current constant voltage charging method, the charging current is automatically reduced in the later stage of charging to avoid overcharging.

Fault diagnosis and warning: With powerful fault diagnosis functions, it can promptly detect abnormal battery conditions and issue warning signals. Evaluate the health status of batteries and predict potential safety issues in advance through data analysis and algorithm models.

In terms of usage and maintenance

Correct usage method: Users should use lithium battery products correctly according to the battery manual, avoid using the battery in harsh environments such as high temperature, low temperature, and humidity, and avoid excessive charging and discharging and high current charging and discharging.

Regular maintenance and inspection: Regularly inspect and maintain lithium batteries, check for any damage, bulges, or other phenomena on the appearance of the battery, and test the performance parameters of the battery, such as capacity and internal resistance. For batteries that are not used for a long time, they should be stored and maintained according to the prescribed methods.