Form Factor and Chemistry Agnostic Battery Deactivation Using Electrically Conductive Gel for Safe Transportation

Removing residual energy from end-of-life batteries prior to transportation requires some method of deactivation. While many methods have been proposed, very few have been implemented due to limitations of cost, safety, and efficacy. In this work, multiple cell and battery types (e.g., lithium-polym...

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Main Authors: Gordon Henry Waller, Connor Jacob, Annabelle Green, Rachel Ashmore Carter, Corey Thomas Love
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-05-01
Series:Batteries
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2313-0105/11/5/201
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author Gordon Henry Waller
Connor Jacob
Annabelle Green
Rachel Ashmore Carter
Corey Thomas Love
author_facet Gordon Henry Waller
Connor Jacob
Annabelle Green
Rachel Ashmore Carter
Corey Thomas Love
author_sort Gordon Henry Waller
collection DOAJ
description Removing residual energy from end-of-life batteries prior to transportation requires some method of deactivation. While many methods have been proposed, very few have been implemented due to limitations of cost, safety, and efficacy. In this work, multiple cell and battery types (e.g., lithium-polymer pouch cells, 18650 lithium-ion cell, alkaline batteries, and lithium-ion power-tool batteries) were deactivated using a low-cost and easily applied gel consisting of borax cross-linked polyvinyl alcohol and carbon. The PVA–carbon composite creates an external short-circuit pathway of moderate resistance that enables the complete discharge of batteries. Abusive testing conducted after deactivation demonstrates that hazards are largely eliminated, including a complete avoidance of thermal runaway from lithium-ion cells and a reduction in flammable and toxic gases by several orders of magnitude.
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series Batteries
spelling doaj-art-8b0f4e7ac72943a98094882d91d42d9f2025-08-20T01:56:25ZengMDPI AGBatteries2313-01052025-05-0111520110.3390/batteries11050201Form Factor and Chemistry Agnostic Battery Deactivation Using Electrically Conductive Gel for Safe TransportationGordon Henry Waller0Connor Jacob1Annabelle Green2Rachel Ashmore Carter3Corey Thomas Love4Chemistry Division, U.S. Naval Research Laboratory, Washington, DC 20375, USAPrecise Systems Inc., Lexington Park, MD 20653, USAChemistry Division, U.S. Naval Research Laboratory, Washington, DC 20375, USAChemistry Division, U.S. Naval Research Laboratory, Washington, DC 20375, USAChemistry Division, U.S. Naval Research Laboratory, Washington, DC 20375, USARemoving residual energy from end-of-life batteries prior to transportation requires some method of deactivation. While many methods have been proposed, very few have been implemented due to limitations of cost, safety, and efficacy. In this work, multiple cell and battery types (e.g., lithium-polymer pouch cells, 18650 lithium-ion cell, alkaline batteries, and lithium-ion power-tool batteries) were deactivated using a low-cost and easily applied gel consisting of borax cross-linked polyvinyl alcohol and carbon. The PVA–carbon composite creates an external short-circuit pathway of moderate resistance that enables the complete discharge of batteries. Abusive testing conducted after deactivation demonstrates that hazards are largely eliminated, including a complete avoidance of thermal runaway from lithium-ion cells and a reduction in flammable and toxic gases by several orders of magnitude.https://www.mdpi.com/2313-0105/11/5/201batteriesbattery safetybattery deactivationlithium iontransportation
spellingShingle Gordon Henry Waller
Connor Jacob
Annabelle Green
Rachel Ashmore Carter
Corey Thomas Love
Form Factor and Chemistry Agnostic Battery Deactivation Using Electrically Conductive Gel for Safe Transportation
Batteries
batteries
battery safety
battery deactivation
lithium ion
transportation
title Form Factor and Chemistry Agnostic Battery Deactivation Using Electrically Conductive Gel for Safe Transportation
title_full Form Factor and Chemistry Agnostic Battery Deactivation Using Electrically Conductive Gel for Safe Transportation
title_fullStr Form Factor and Chemistry Agnostic Battery Deactivation Using Electrically Conductive Gel for Safe Transportation
title_full_unstemmed Form Factor and Chemistry Agnostic Battery Deactivation Using Electrically Conductive Gel for Safe Transportation
title_short Form Factor and Chemistry Agnostic Battery Deactivation Using Electrically Conductive Gel for Safe Transportation
title_sort form factor and chemistry agnostic battery deactivation using electrically conductive gel for safe transportation
topic batteries
battery safety
battery deactivation
lithium ion
transportation
url https://www.mdpi.com/2313-0105/11/5/201
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