We Research: The need for field research on battery fires and safety issues
The number and applications of rechargeable batteries are rapidly increasing in everyday life. Despite the fact that batteries are useful, there are always risks associated with the use and handling of batteries. In particular, the materials used in lithium-ion batteries can cause a chain reaction leading to fire under extreme or abnormal conditions. Battery fires are associated with a variety of hazards due to the energy content of the batteries and the gases and other by-products generated in battery fires.
Although battery safety is being tested and studied in various ways, there is still much to be learned about the behavior of batteries in different situations. When testing the behavior of batteries under extreme or abnormal conditions, it must be done safely in an environment and under conditions where extreme phenomena have been anticipated. APAJA - Initial Assessment of Field Research Needs for Battery Fires - will jointly with SAMK and the Safety Centre identify the testing and research needs for battery fires and their precursors. The project will also explore whether such testing activities could be carried out in Pori and what kind of approaches, equipment, expertise, and cooperation would be needed. The current state and gaps in testing will be addressed through a literature review, expert interviews and laboratory visits.
The study will create an understanding of the current state of the art of research and testing of battery fires and related phenomena. It provides a basis for assessing whether there is a need and a suitable framework for field testing of batteries in Pori region. The study will also provide more precise information on where to focus in the Pori region, taking into account existing facilities in Finland and in neighboring regions. Additionally, the study will increase RoboAI Green's own understanding of the risks associated with batteries and provide good supporting information for the research on circular economy of batteries.
