AllCell granted US patent to prevent thermal runaway propagation in Li-ion batteries

11 October 2012

AllCell Technologies received a new US patent (Nº 8,273,474) covering the use of phase change materials (PCM) to prevent thermal runaway propagation in electrochemical devices such as lithium-ion batteries, ultra capacitors, and fuel cells. The new patent is an extension of AllCell’s intellectual property, which already includes US and international patents covering the use of PCM for thermal management of electrochemical devices.

AllCell has developed a proprietary composite material composed of a conductive matrix impregnated with various PCMs that extends the cycle life of lithium ion cells and can prevent the propagation of thermal runaway.

AllCell’s passive technology requires no power to operate and has no moving parts, paving the way for the industry to improve battery performance while simultaneously reducing battery cost.

One of the benefits of passive thermal management is the ability to operate even when the vehicle is turned off. Whether protecting car batteries parked all day in the scorching Phoenix sun or electric bike batteries baking inside a metal case exposed to direct sunlight, AllCell’s PCM composite can protect the expensive lithium-ion battery cells from overheating, extending battery life.

Earlier this year AllCell announced the formation of AllCell Automotive, a joint venture with Townsend Ventures, LLC, created to commercialize PCM technology in automotive applications. The AllCell Automotive team is already working with automotive OEMs and is developing a new generation of automotive lithium-ion batteries with PCM thermal management technology that will be introduced soon. (Earlier post.)

Resources

• US Patent Nº 8,273,474: Battery system thermal management