Bursic 2:00
L13
Disclaimer — This paper partially fulfills a writing requirement for first year (freshman) engineering students at the University
of Pittsburgh Swanson School of Engineering. This paper is a student, not a professional, paper. This paper is based on publicly
available information and may not be provide complete analyses of all relevant data. If this paper is used for any purpose other
than these authors’ partial fulfillment of a writing requirement for first year (freshman) engineering students at the University
of Pittsburgh Swanson School of Engineering, the user does so at his or her own risk.
THE PLACE OF HEAT SENSITIVE POLYMERS IN BUILDING A SAFER
LITHIUM ION BATTERY
Dylan Sporrer (dos42@pitt.edu Bursic 2:00), Alexander Washy (anw91@pitt.edu Bursic 2:00)
Abstract−Lithium-ion batteries can be found in a great
number of the consumer electronics on the market today, and,
while they offer high energy density, the danger of violent
meltdowns should these batteries overheat causes alarm and
is a limiting factor in the development of larger lithium ion
cells. To curb this hazard, some cells include flame-retardant
materials or components which will sacrifice the continued
functionality of the battery to avoid serious danger during
overheating. More recently, polymers which allow a battery
to cease functioning temporarily should it begin to overheat,
but resume its function after cooling have been under
development [1]. This paper aims to examine the role of one
such polymer in making lithium ion batteries safer and in
securing their future in both current and yet unexplored
applications.
The polymer film in question consists of a polyethylene
medium in which tiny, graphene-coated nickel particles with
a spiny surface lie. Contact between these particles allows for
the lithium ions to flow normally, but when the film
experiences dangerous levels of heat, it rapidly expands,
moving the nickel spines far enough apart so as to stop the
flow of electricity and effectively “shut down” the battery [2].
Even when solely considering the measurable impact lithium
cells have on the everyday lives of individuals, ensuring these
batteries’ safety as well as their continued practicality is
undoubtedly an important goal, but the future opportunities
afforded by increased battery safety may be even more
significant.
In the current energy environment, one which demands
new and more powerful methods of production as well as
more efficient means of energy storage, the ability to create
larger lithium ion cells while managing their possible
dangers could prove invaluable. To better understand the
importance of this polymer, we plan to research not only its
construction and current functionality, but also the goals
which engineers have for lithium ion batteries as a whole.
Beginning with an understanding of the way in which a
lithium ion cell works and the dangers of battery meltdowns
as well as how these failures limit the functionality of lithium
ion cells, our paper will then more deeply investigate the
polymer in question and how it can help to reduce said
limitations and conclude with an examination of how lithium
University of Pittsburgh, Swanson School of Engineering 1
2015-11-23
ion batteries made more safe by this technology may be
applied in the near future.
REFERENCES
[1] Stanford University. (2016). “New battery shouts down at
high temperatures, restarts when it cools.” (online article).
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/01/1601111210
28.htm
[2] Z. Chen, P. Hsu, J. Lopez, et al. (2016). “Fast and
reversible thermoresponsive polymer switching materials for
safer batteries.” Nature Publishing Group. (online article).
http://www.nature.com/articles/nenergy20159
ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY
B. Thompson, J. Riordon, B. Jaavobsmeyer, et al. (2016).
“Lithium-ion Batteries.” Physics Central. (online article).
http://www.physicscentral.com/explore/action/lithium.cfm
This educational site, hosted by the American Physics
Society, provides information on the workings of lithium ion
batteries in general, as well as their advantages and
disadvantages. The content includes information about the
transfer of ions through a battery, what materials are
currently, or may soon be, used in creating the cells, and what
causes a cell to overheat to the point of meltdown. This
general knowledge of lithium ion battery operation will be
necessary for us to put the use of the polymer in the context
of current technology and better illustrate its overall function.
Battery University. (2016).”BU-304a: Safety Concerns with
Li-ion.”
(online
article).
http://batteryuniversity.com/learn/article/safety_concerns_wi
th_li_ion’
This online article aims to inform consumers of the causes,
signs, and dangers of lithium ion battery overheating
meltdowns. The information is presented in form which is
easily understood and seeks to avoid technical language,
providing a valuable understanding of how the dangers of
meltdowns, and the polymer which seeks to prevent them,
will affect the lives of everyday individuals. Such a
Dylan Sporrer, Alexander Washy
perspective will be useful in connecting the information
presented in our paper to the practical application of this
technology and thus its importance to engineers of today.
This article, from a news site specializing in current
science and technology stories, covers the primary function of
a recently developed polymer put to use in lithium ion cells.
The article briefly covers how the polymer expands at high
temperatures to cease the battery’s function, and makes note
of how this polymer builds upon previously developed
technologies to prevent cell meltdowns. The information in
this article will be useful in giving a broad understanding of
this technology in the paper’s introduction as well as how this
technology innovates upon past discoveries.
Erickson Evan M., Ghanty Chandan, Aurbach Doron. (2014).
“New horizons for conventional lithium ion battery
technology.” Journal of Physical Chemistry. (online article).
http://pubs.acs.org.pitt.idm.oclc.org/doi/10.1021/jz501387m
A professional article published by the American
Chemical Society which investigates the issues which limit
lithium ion cell usage as the primary power source for electric
vehicles. The source goes on to provide an overview of anode
materials, with silicon based anodes garnering particular
attention, as well as speculate on practical applications of
these batteries in hybrid vehicles despite their limitations. The
information within will allow us to build upon the belief that
safer battery technology is important in advancing the
capabilities of lithium ion cells as whole.
University of Pittsburgh ULS. (2014). “Choosing a Topic”.
University
of
Pittsburgh.
(online
video).
http://www.library.pitt.edu/other/files/il/fresheng/index.html
This informational video created by the University of
Pittsburgh seeks to help students define a sufficiently narrow
topic area for their conference papers. By providing examples
of topics as well as the proper way to carry out the selection
process, the video creates a framework from which one may
develop their paper. We have implemented the video into our
paper by following its guidelines regarding topic selection
and choosing a specific topic which still has relevance to
engineering as a whole.
N. Nitta, F. Wu, J. Lee, et al. (2015). “Li-ion battery materials:
present and future.” Materials Today. (online article).
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S13697021
14004118
A scientific article published in Materials Today which
gives both an in-depth review of the effectiveness of current
materials used in lithium ion battery construction and a look
into the future of battery construction. The article primarily
examines the materials which make up the cathode and anode
of the battery and their associated charge capacity, discharge
potential, and longevity. Such detailed technical information
on battery construction will allow us to build upon the general
information presented in the American Physics Society source
and the look at future materials will bridge the paper into our
examination of the future uses of lithium ion batteries.
Z. Chen, P. Hsu, J. Lopez, et al. (2016). “Fast and reversible
thermoresponsive polymer switching materials for safer
batteries.” Nature Publishing Group. (online article).
http://www.nature.com/articles/nenergy20159
A professional scientific article published by the
development team for the polymer which will be the focus of
our paper which goes into great detail about the technology’s
design and operation. This article contains all necessary
information about the development of the polymer, including
specific data on its operation. This source will provide the
bulk of the technical information required to examine the
polymer in our paper.
Scrosati Bruno, Hassoun Jusef, Sun Yang-Kook. (2011).
“Lithium-Ion Batteries. A look into the future.” Energy
Environ
Sci.
(article).
http://pubs.rsc.org.pitt.idm.oclc.org/en/content/articlepdf/20
11/ee/c1ee01388b
This professionally published research article provides an
examination of recent advances made concerning lithium ion
cells, possible future materials or capabilities, and the issue
which limit their implementation. The text presents data on
the varying capabilities of metals when used in anode
construction and touches on the need for higher performance
batteries when considered their application in hybrid vehicles.
The information from this source will help us to display the
future of lithium cells, and the importance of the researched
technology in maintaining their safety in this future.
Stanford University. (2016). “New battery shouts down at
high temperatures, restarts when it cools.” (online article).
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/01/1601111210
28.htm
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