Kevlar Stops Bullets and Flames

Kevlar batteries could bring an end to gadget fires.

We have all seen the videos of laptop batteries bursting into flames or pictures of charred cell phones after the battery overheated and caught fire.

A research team from the University of Michigan has developed a new style of lithium ion battery using Kevlar. That’s right, it’s not just for stopping bullets or reinforcing structures anymore. The new lithium ion battery will not only be able to store more power in a smaller form factor, but the added Kevlar fibers will prevent combustion.

Researchers are using the material to create a super thin membrane with holes only large enough for lithium ions to pass through, which will prevent atoms from sticking and forming fern-like structures that can grow and make contact with an electrode. This can cause short circuiting.

The new battery is expected to begin production in late 2016.

(Image Source: iCLIPART)