Flexpoint Sensor Systems, Inc. (OTC PINK: FLXT) has filed a provisional patent for the new Swell Sensor designed to detect and stop a Lithium ion or Lithium Polymer battery from charging or discharging, preventing a thermal runway; one of the major ways battery fires occur.
Li-ion and Li-polymer batteries are used today in everything from phones to electric cars. Flexpoint’s provisional patent protects these batteries, their products and those who use them every day, measuring the expansion or swelling of the battery effectively stopping a potentially dangerous state.
Batteries become over heated, over charged, or simply fail due to old age. When this occurs, it’s possible for the inner cells of the battery to outgas a flammable electrolyte mixture, causing the battery to swell. The Flexpoint Sensor addresses the swollen battery effect, as batteries are designed to contain as a failsafe the measure of out gassing. The Flexpoint Swell Sensor detects the condition, effectively shutting down the short circuit. Without this type of detection, some batteries can eventually reach temperatures over 1000º F.
“We believe the Flexpoint bend sensor is the only sensor on the market which can accurately measure the expansion or swelling of these types of batteries,” said Flexpoint CEO Clark Mower. “We are proud to have created a sensor which can potentially save lives and property, while protecting the brands of millions of companies which sell products using lithium batteries to power their devices.”
As the public becomes more and more dependent on portable devices with rechargeable batteries, Flexpoint believes this low-cost reliable solution that can handle even the harshest environments, will save lives and prevent injury.
The leading supplier of thin film sensing technology, Flexpoint is dedicated to delivering the most innovative and cost-effective solutions to companies around the globe.
