Boeing 787 Battery Problems spark a Revolution in Battery Technology Posted on February 1, 2013 by Alessandro Bruno
The two fire incidents involving Boeing 787 aircraft, occurring within ten days of each other, have both been attributed to its batteries, creating a messy situation for Boeing, which has so far delivered only 50 units. Modern airplanes need many batteries, but play a central role in the 787 and no other airliner carries so many of them. They are used to actuate a number of cabin systems to fly-by-wire hardware, re placing the old and heavier hydraulic or mechanical technologies. Nevertheless, Boeing chose just one type of battery: lithium-ion. Li-ion batteries include positive and negative electrodes which are separated by a layer of plastic. Voltage is generated by ions migrating back and forth through an electrolyte, a non-aqueous liquid, between the electrodes. The negative electrodes are made of graphite while the positive electrode can use any one of a variety of materials. The problem lies with the positive electrode. The ones GS Yuasa supplies to Boeing use lithium cobalt dioxide. However, lithium cobalt dioxide is considered to be very dangerous as an electrode material; this makes them a fire hazard If the temperature exceeds a critical point, such as in the case of overcharging.. http://proedgewire.com/graphite-graphene-intel/...hnology-revolution/ |
