Highly efficient and low-cost battery thermal runaway detection technology

As society transitions toward carbon neutrality, the demand for rechargeable batteries with higher energy density and larger-scale applications is growing. However, these advancements also raise the risk of “thermal runaway”—a rapid, uncontrollable temperature rise caused by overheating, external impact, or short circuits, potentially leading to catastrophic fires or explosions. Traditional methods for evaluating thermal runaway rely heavily on large-scale commercial batteries, requiring substantial raw materials and costly equipment. These limitations have hindered the efficient research and development of safer battery.

To address this challenge, researchers from the University of Tokyo and the National Institute for Materials Science have developed a highly sensitive method for safety evaluation. This innovative approach employs strategically designed lab-scale miniature batteries, less than 1/50th the size of conventional ones, enabling rapid and cost-effective safety screening of battery materials, electrode compositions, form factors, and operation/storage conditions.

Safety remains the top priority, surpassing all other battery performance parameters. This breakthrough technology serves as a foundational solution, applicable across all stages of battery development from early material exploration to product design. It facilitates the efficient collection and analysis of quantitative safety data, significantly accelerating the realization of highly safe and reliable next-generation batteries.

Papers
Journal: Nature Energy
Title: Rapid safety screening realized by accelerating rate calorimetry with lab-scale small batteries
Authors: Seongjae Ko, Hiromi Otsuka, Shin Kimura, Yuta Takagi, Shoji Yamaguchi, Takuya Masuda*, Atsuo Yamada*
DOI: 10.1038/s41560-025-01751-7

UTokyoFOCUS | Press Release: https://www.u-tokyo.ac.jp/focus/en/press/z0508_00387.html