Developed by experts from the National Accelerator Laboratory (SLAC) and Stanford University, the battery continued to operate at high temperatures. The study was published in the journal Matter.

Scientists took on the task of developing a battery that would not ignite and burn at high temperatures. Engineers have discovered that polymer electrolytes with a high salt content prevent batteries from igniting.

According to the study’s authors, at temperatures above 60 degrees Celsius, the solvent molecules in the electrolyte begin to evaporate, turning from liquid to gas and blowing the battery out, causing ignition. In a safe battery, a significant portion of the polymer electrolyte is salt, which scientists have increased from 50 percent to 63 percent.

The material says salts added in large quantities trap solvent molecules and prevent them from evaporating and igniting. The tested safe batteries continued to operate at temperatures above 100 degrees Celsius. “This discovery marks a new approach in the design of polymer-based electrolytes”– Highlighted Stanford University professor and researcher Zhenan Bao.