From ARVic, original post here.

Recent media attention has been drawn to lithium batteries used it many devices from laptops to hover-boards.  An airline sought to ban hover-boards with some imports known to burst into fire, and there was a cause of a Christmas gift left on a charge that destroyed a home.

Authorities are reinforcing the need for such devices to meet their standards and compliance.  Now a lithium battery technology has been proposed so they can work in extremes by thermal management, which can degrade performance, and may reduce them overheating and catching fire.

An integrated temperature sensor leaves the battery to function normally.  The aim is having a small power device used in electric vehicles, space travel and high altitude drones, where temperature extremes are faced.

In testing a prototype battery was able to warm from freezing temperature rapidly, and consume a small part of the battery capacity.  A disadvantage is that it’s 1.5 per cent heavier and costs slightly more than a conventional battery.