Patent — available for licensing
Li-Ion Battery Pack Shielding System
A NASA invention available to explore as a licensing opportunity.
About this technology
Overview
Innovators at NASA Johnson Space Center have designed a thermal runaway (TR) shielding system for Li-ion cylindrical battery packs to inhibit collateral damage to adjacent battery cells during a TR event. This shielding system technology introduces eight novel improvements (detailed below) to a state-of-the-art “Passively Propagation Resistant” (PPR) battery pack that may be applied to other Li-ion battery packs for safety and performance improvements. TR is caused by a battery cell short-circuiting combined with the cell’s inability to contain the resulting increase in pressure and temperature. For example, this inability could lead to a rupture from either end of a cylindrical cell, where ensuing hot ejecta spray could damage neighboring cells in a battery pack – or could trigger the neighboring cells into TR, which in turn could escalate into a catastrophic fire. Numerous industries such as automotive, aviation, aerospace, and consumer electronics utilize Li-ion battery cells that are assembled into modules or battery-packs to provide energy storage. This Li-Ion Battery Pack Shielding System technology has a technology readiness level (TRL) of 6 (System/sub-system model or prototype demonstration in an operational environment), and is now available for patent licensing. Please note that NASA does not manufacture products itself for commercial sale.