24M has released new testing results for its innovative battery separator, Impervio, which addresses key safety concerns for electric vehicles (EVs), energy storage systems (ESS), and consumer applications. The data follows heightened concern over battery fires in the U.S. and abroad, underscoring the importance of improved safety measures in the industry.
Impervio, first announced in January 2024, specifically tackles the risk of overcharging—a condition where a battery exceeds its safe charging limit, potentially leading to overheating and fires.
Overcharging can cause dendrite formation, leading to internal shorts that may result in thermal runaway or even explosions.
The Impervio separator obstructs dendrite propagation by managing the cell at the electrode level, allowing early detection of faults and the prevention of catastrophic failures. “Our technology prevents thermal runaway by detecting early signs of a short and implementing failsafes,” 24M stated.
In recent tests at 24M’s labs, a 10Ah high nickel NMC/Graphite pouch cell with an Impervio separator was compared to a conventional nickel NMC cell. Both cells were pushed to 100% overcapacity, beyond the manufacturer’s voltage limit.
The Impervio-equipped cell maintained stability, avoiding shorts and overheating for an hour. In contrast, the off-the-shelf cell experienced micro shorts after just 15 minutes, culminating in an explosion and fire at 38 minutes.
