Enovix BrakeFlow™ Stops Thermal Runaway

Dean Sigler Batteries, Sustainable Aviation Leave a Comment

Enovix battery architecture including its exclusive BrakeFlow™ system enables 100-percent silicon in their silicon/lithium electrodes and prevents battery fires.  Battery fires, particularly on or in an airplane, are potential disasters.  One such incident occurred recently on United Air Lines flight 2664 planned from San Diego International Airport to Newark New Jersey’s Liberty International Airport. Things went awry when a battery pack in the passenger compartment started to smoke and caught fire.  Seven passengers were injured, four of whom were hospitalized.  The Boeing 737 Max 8 was just starting its flight, turned around, and landed back at San Diego after only 10 minutes in the air.  Taxi times were greater than the flight time.  It was probably more than a bit scary for the passengers and crew. As explained in the NBC video, battery fires are increasing in number, probably because of the increasing number of electronic devices that use lithium batteries. Based in Fremont, California, Enovix, has developed an architecture …

Two New and Unique Energy Storage Solutions

Dean Sigler Batteries, Electric Aircraft Materials, Sustainable Aviation Leave a Comment

Lithium-ion and lithium-polymer batteries of various brands provide energy for Teslas, Leafs, and Bolts, but continue to disappoint by stalled energy density, power density, and safety concerns.  Two relative newcomers to the field might have answers to these concerns.  Unlike many other newcomers, production might be less than five years away. Enovix Corp. Ken Rentmeester, a good friend and retired chemical engineer, volunteers in the local TeenFlight program run by Dick VanGrunsven.  He shared his copy of the IEEE Spectrum containing an article about a new battery company that may have some answers to problems common to lithium batteries. The company’s claims for their Enovix battery are impressive.  “Patented 3D cell architecture, a patented 100% silicon anode, photolithography, and wafer production increases energy density and eliminates thermal runaway.” Making thermal runaway go away would make the Enovix battery a much desired energy source, especially for electric aircraft.  A recent fatal collision of a Tesla Model X with two other cars …