Congratulations!
Huge Congratulations to SafeBatt’s Dr Xiaoxia Guo for winning a poster prize at the Battery Safety UK 2026 conference in Warwick on 5th May, for her poster titled: “When Ageing Becomes Dangerous: The “Thermal Blunting” Paradox in SC vs. PC NMC811”
Xiaoxia Guo (UCL), Maria Balart-Murria (WMG), Xiaodong Liu (University of Liverpool), B Layla Mehdi (University of Liverpool), Melanie Loveridge (WMG) and Rhod Jervis (UCL)
Abstract: Using multiscale characterizations (XRD, CT, TEM, SIMS, ARC), we decouple degradation and thermal runaway (TR) triggers in polycrystalline (PC) and single-crystal (SC) NMC8111. We reveal a “thermal blunting” paradox: severe mechanical pulverization in PC cathodes isolates active materials inadvertently delaying TR. Conversely, SC cathodes preserve structural integrity and energy density but suffer from thermodynamic surface reconstruction and oxygen release, advancing TR triggers. Thus, SC morphologies resolve mechanical failure but demand robust interfacial engineering to ensure thermal safety.
About the SafeBatt project
The Faraday Institution’s SafeBatt project is a collaboration, led by the University of Oxford, of seven universities (Oxford, University College London, King’s College London, Newcastle, Sheffield, Warwick and Cambridge) as well as industrial partners, each bringing unique capabilities to the investigation of the science of safety.
Project Goals
1
Understand failure events through state-of-the-art instrumentation, imaging and high speed techniques.
2
Understand the safety signatures of degraded cells and investigate how materials properties cause safety concerns or varied safety signatures.
3
Demonstrate detection methods and mitigation strategies.
4
Determine the toxicity of cell fires and run-off, and the composition and behaviour of the vapour cloud.
5
Develop an initial model of thermal runaway, cell to cell propagation and reaction pathways; using data to parametrise the models.
6
Give a clear point of access for industry and government bodies seeking knowledge and engagement on battery safety related issues.
