LiPo batteries of the same capacity actually have the potential to be much more dangerous than the sodium cell shown here.
LiPo packs typically use flat, soft walled cells which are far more susceptible to being punctured. In the event of a puncture or overcharge event, high temperature enduring flames are produced, with the severity and duration largely depending on the amount of energy within the cell. LiPo batteries also degrade at a much faster rate (both over time and with charge cycles) and have been known to spontaneously combust in storage while at rest.
With the sodium battery, the thrust produced by the puncture could have been easily been overcome by properly securing the cell.
Nindelofocho@lemmy.world 4 months ago
That explosion doesent seem much bigger than a firework thats smaller than the battery’s size. With as much as a car weighs and the amount we already do to protect batteries in electric cars i imagine the explosion from these could be easier to manage safely than a lithium fire. I also wonder how harmful the fumes are compared to lithium
Gormadt@lemmy.blahaj.zone 4 months ago
Especially considering there’s no fire from a sodium cell, just a quick bang. They definitely seem a lot safer.
cybersin@lemm.ee 4 months ago
Yep, less/no fire is very important when creating battery banks with many cells. The probability of single cell failure spreading to adjacent cells is reduced, making a catastrophic failure of the entire bank less likely.
TimeSquirrel@kbin.social 4 months ago
We already know how to take care of this in big capacitors. You put a breakaway vent in.
cybersin@lemm.ee 4 months ago
Yep, cylindrical Li-ion cells like the 18650 already do this.
soEZ@lemmy.world 4 months ago
My hopes of flying cars has been dashed 😐