Applying chewing gum to lithium battery technology

Washington State University researchers develop gum electrolytes to make lithium batteries safer, reduce inflammation. Gum-based gum-based detergents, which contain less solids like wax, are mixed with conventional electrolytes.

>>> The batteries help avoid any risk of explosion

High-capacity lithium batteries are present on most of today's mobile electronics, but it has a limitation that is likely to be explosive. This can happen when they experience overheating, and the liquid electrolyte inside is leaking out. Now, with the electrolyte formed by scientists at Washington State University, can make lithium batteries safer, eliminating the possibility of fire.

The conductors were studied and developed by graduate student Yu 'Will' Wang, under the guidance of Professor Katie Zhong. It is based on gum inspiration, though it has two times more stickiness to allow it to stick to the ingredients inside the battery. Previous studies have gone in the direction of developing complete solid-state electrolysis, despite the problem of attaching them to the anodes and cathodes of the battery.

Semi-solid, semi-solid, gums containing some solids such as wax, mixed with conventional electrolytes. And when everything reaches stability, ions can easily move through the gum to pass between the anode and the cathode, to generate electricity. If the battery becomes too hot, the wax will come out, short the ion connection between the two electrodes, and the battery's power generation will stop. This will prevent the battery from becoming hotter, and may cause a fire.

In addition, because the material is flexible and retains the ability to generate electricity even when the shape is changed, it can be used for non-flat electronics. Now researchers are looking at ways to test new materials on conventional battery designs and see how they work under real-world conditions. Washington State University is also licensing their new technology.