Impervio separator offers solution to thermal runaway

The company’s Impervio separator suppresses dendrite growth, monitors cell activity, and signals the battery management system (BMS) to shut down the cell if necessary.

In doing so, 24M said OEMs will be able to target recalls to specific affected units rather than recalling an entire model line, which can cost in the region of $1bn.

Dendrites form when the metal ions (like lithium) deposit unevenly on the anode during charging, forming needle-like or branch-like structures. 

As dendrites grow, they can pierce through the electrolyte and connect the anode to the cathode, creating a short circuit that can lead to catastrophic failure.

Ulrik Grape, president, European Operations, at 24M Technologies, could not reveal the exact inner workings of the patent protected Impervio separator.   

“What I can say… is the unique properties of what we do is that the dendrites are turned away or suppressed.”

He continued: “We've contaminated a cell with stainless steel, the small pellets that you could find in in the production process, and we've demonstrated that that the cell actually continues to cycle normally because the dendrites are being suppressed. If you take a traditional separator situation, it will short circuit very fast.”