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SENSORS & SENSING SYSTEMS
FEATURE
material within the batteries and a design that did not provide sufficient space to safely accommodate the batteries’ electrodes. This resulted in thermal runaway, which occurs when temperatures are raised by thermal or mechanical failure, short circuiting, or electrical abuse. More recently, there has been a 60% increase in e-bike fires in London in 2023 compared to 2022. Demand is therefore growing for sensing
technology that can detect faulty Li-ion batteries during both production and operation.
SENSING LI-ION
BATTERY RISKS The safe utilisation of Li-ion batteries is a key
concern for the developers of equipment. Here, ION Science explains how photoionisation detection (PID) sensors are able to detect potential problems before they occur in the
manufacture and use of these batteries, and the devices that use rechargeable batteries
n 2006 and 2007, millions of laptops and mobile phones were recalled due to safety fears relating to their Li-ion batteries; and in 2013, a Boeing 787 was grounded following electrical issues with the Li-ion battery in
I
Dryad Networks is using a large-scale IoT network of solar-powered sensors to detect and locate wildfires. The Silvanet system can detect the fire before it spreads, and pinpoint the exact location, enabling response teams to arrive on site much faster. Dryad’s solar-powered sensors detect very small and subtle changes in the environment, such as increased levels of certain gases or organic compounds. Embedded artificial intelligence (AI) enables the sensors to discern between real fire threats and potential false positives. In the event of a fire ignition, real-time alerts are generated to notify authorities, ensuring a rapid response. The difference in the damage a fire can cause
for every ten minutes it remains undetected is staggering, but sensor networks cover large areas, providing comprehensive and highly
the aircraft’s auxiliary power unit. Then in 2016, around 2.5 million mobile phones had to be recalled after complaints of overheating and exploding batteries. Extensive investigations revealed insufficient insulation
DETECTION The main safety hazards associated with failing Li-ion batteries are the ignition of the battery cell and/or the emissions of toxic gases. As these gases include volatile organic compounds (VOCs), sensitive VOC sensors can be used to check the condition of these batteries, either within portable detectors or in process/plant monitoring equipment. The anode in rechargeable Li-ion batteries is
typically graphite, the cathode is a metal oxide, and the electrolyte is usually a lithium salt in a (flammable) organic solvent. This electrolyte includes compounds such as ethyl methyl carbonate (EMC), which is known to be among the gases emitted by a faulty Li-ion battery. EMC can be detected by ION Science’s PID, so the developers of monitoring systems and equipment are able to design technologies that utilise ION’s MiniPID sensors. PID sensors are the most commonly employed
technology for the detection of VOCs. ION’s MiniPID range includes the most sensitive PID sensor in the world, which makes it ideal for the detection of trace leaks from faulty Li-ion batteries, the company explains. Commenting in the applications, Peter Morris
from ION Science said: “Prospective customers for our PID sensors in Li-ion battery applications include the developers of portable instruments, the designers of monitoring systems for processes within battery manufacturing, as well as in the manufacture of EVs, e-bikes, laptops, tablets, phones and many others.”
ION Science
www.ionscience.com
SOLAR POWERED SENSORS CHOSEN TO DETECT AND LOCATE WILDFIRES
scalable fire monitoring. AI-supported sensors reduce false alarms, enhancing the reliability of fire detection, while continuous monitoring and data analysis improve fire prevention and resource allocation. While it may seem large scale fires are the problem of
Australia, Canada or hot dry European countries, they are also a threat in the UK. In September this year, Dryad announced its collaboration with the National Trust, installing 50 ‘ultra-early’ wildfire detection sensors on Marsden Moor in West Yorkshire, a site of special scientific interest and a habitat for rare birds and plants. Dryad’s Silvanet sensors have been installed on fence
posts on the moor and will detect changes in the atmosphere, sending alerts to staff within minutes.
Dryad Networks
www.dryad.net
NOVEMBER 2023 DESIGN SOLUTIONS 25
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