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Control of internal and external short circuits in lithium batteries using a composite thermal switchA composite material has been developed, consisting of a blend of metal and fluorocarbon particles, which behaves as an electronic conductor at room temperature and which abruptly becomes an insulator at a predetermined temperature. This switching behavior results from the difference in thermal expansion coefficients between the conductive and non-conductive portions of the composite. This material was applied as a thin film between the carbon cathode in Li/SOCl2 cells, and the metallic cathode current collector. Using test articles incorporating this feature it was shown that lithium cells externally heated or internally heated during a short circuit lost rate capability and the ability to overheat well below the melting point of lithium (180 C). Thus, during an internal or external cell short circuit, the potential for thermal runaway involving reactions of molten lithium is avoided.
Document ID
19920068200
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Mcdonald, Robert C.
(NASA Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center Houston, TX, United States)
Pickett, Jerome
(NASA Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center Houston, TX, United States)
Goebel, Franz
(Yardney Technical Products, Inc. Pawcatuck, CT, United States)
Date Acquired
August 15, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 1991
Subject Category
Electronics And Electrical Engineering
Meeting Information
Meeting: IECEC ''91: Intersociety Energy Conversion Engineering Conference
Location: Boston, MA
Country: United States
Start Date: August 4, 1991
End Date: August 9, 1991
Accession Number
92A50824
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NAS9-1827
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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