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Lightweight and Thermally Resistant Battery Containment Systems

Press Release

Press Release

Physical Sciences Inc. (PSI) has been awarded a program from the U.S. Air Force to develop a lightweight fire-resistant composite containment system to improve aircraft safety for electronic Vertical Take-off and Landing (eVTOL) platforms.

High voltage Lithium-ion batteries increase power system efficiencies to meet eVTOL emerging demands, however, these battery systems are high risk for thermal runaway and propagation to neighboring cells, modules, and aircraft structures. Recent high-profile Li-ion battery fires/explosion incidents have driven new containment system designs. These designs rely on the use of steel alloys that still do not withstand all possible peak fire and peak temperature battery cook-off scenarios. PSI’s solution is based on a refractory composite material that is 4X lighter than steel, and capable of withstanding prolonged exposure to over 2000ºF.

Since PSI’s refractory composite solution will provide a far lighter and safer Li-ion battery containment system than current state-of-the-art steel-based designs, this new containment system would be applicable to both the military aircraft battery market and the commercial aviation market.

For more information, contact:

Dr. John Steinbeck
Product Manager, Advanced Composites
steinbeck@psicorp.com
Physical Sciences Inc.
Telephone: (978) 689-0003