{"id":196,"date":"2023-01-30T03:40:16","date_gmt":"2023-01-30T03:40:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/app.mectronic.com\/blog\/?p=196"},"modified":"2023-04-28T17:06:05","modified_gmt":"2023-04-28T17:06:05","slug":"amphenol-thermal-runaway","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/app.mectronic.com\/blog\/2023\/01\/30\/amphenol-thermal-runaway\/","title":{"rendered":"Amphenol Sensors Offer EV Owners the Power of Robust Early Detection of Thermal Runaway<\/strong>"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Lithium-ion batteries power products and applications across every industry, but their use in electric vehicles (EV) drive even greater dependence on this technology.  Though millions of dollars pour into research and development projects related to lithium-ion energy storage each year, these systems remain vulnerable to a phenomenon that occurs across every type of battery: thermal runaway.  Amphenol Sensors offer EV owners a powerful tool for earlier detection of this devastating phenomenon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is Thermal Runaway<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

From electric vehicles to everyday personal electronics, such as cell phones and laptop computers, demand for Lithium-ion batteries continues to grow.  Since their introduction in 1991, research and development evolved lithium-ion battery technology into a reliable energy storage solution.  One key area of research revolves around thermal runaway. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Thermal runaway is an exothermic reaction that can occur in any type of battery. Exothermic reactions are those that produce heat.  The circular process occurs when the heat generated by a lithium-ion battery exceeds the amount of heat the battery can quickly and safely dissipate to its surroundings.  Though the phenomenon often results from damage or environmental factors that include high temperature, thermal runaway drives the release of heat beyond what external factors produce.  At this threshold, the process becomes self-sustaining.  The cells within the battery continue to generate heat unchecked, progressively worsening until a catastrophe occurs or something is done to remedy the situation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Engineers have long respected the thermodynamic principles behind thermal runaway. The increasing popularity of electric vehicles and other electronic devices, such as cell phones and hoverboards, brought this issue to the forefront of public attention in recent years.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Thermal Runaway Process in Lithium-Ion Batteries<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Though thermal runaway can occur with any type of battery, the phenomenon raised serious safety concerns in recent years as reliance on lithium-ion batteries grows.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

When a cell is damaged, such as by overcharging, crushing, or overheating, the typical electrochemical reactions within the cell that are necessary for normal operation give way to chemical reactions.  These chemical reactions produce toxic, flammable gasses and heat.  That resulting heat drives the reaction to continue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The heat from a single damaged cell dissipates into the cell\u2019s surroundings.   As that heat accumulates, it begins to damage nearby cells.  Through this process, thermal runaway develops in nearby cells, compounding heat and gasses produced and driving the reaction faster.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This destructive thermal process poses an incredible risk to owners.  Toxic gases are emitted into the environment. Additionally, these flammable gases are also the leading cause of EV vehicle fires.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Triggers Thermal Runaway?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Thermal runaway results from a variety of environmental factors and damage.   <\/p>\n\n\n\n

For EV owners, the likeliest culprits include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n