NGK: Successful zinc secondary battery ‘ZNB’: World’s 1st acquisition of UL9540A standard
Unique ceramic technology realizes a safe and large-capacity storage battery suitable for indoor installation
NGK:
This time, zinc secondary battery ‘ZNB’ developed by NGK has obtained the world’s first UL verification mark in the storage battery field.
UL certification mark acquired: UL9540A
Tests were conducted based on the UL9540A standard from a third-party safety science organization in the US: UL (head office: Northbrook, Illinois).
UL9540A is an evaluation test standard for thermal runaway fire propagation in storage battery systems.
The objective and highly reproducible verification by UL has demonstrated the high safety performance of ZNB.
ZNB：developed by our company
Zinc on the negative electrode,
Aqueous solution in electrolyte,
Separator that separates positive and negative electrodes: Uses our original ceramic separator,
A storage battery (secondary battery) that realizes high safety and large capacity suitable for indoor installation.
Conventional technology:
When zinc is used for the negative electrode, the energy density of the battery is high and it is used for primary batteries (alkaline batteries and air batteries for hearing aids).
When used as a secondary battery, dendrites of zinc are generated from the negative electrode during charging. Therefore, there was a “problem of short-circuiting through the separator” and it has not been put into practical use for many years.
This technology:
We have developed a unique hydroxide ion (OH-) conductive ceramic.
Using this separator, we solved the problem and succeeded in developing a zinc secondary battery.
Developed ceramic separator:
Selectively pass only the OH- necessary for battery operation.
By physically blocking the dendrite, a short circuit between the positive and negative electrodes is prevented.
It has become possible to charge and discharge repeatedly.
This is the first time that a ceramic separator is used in a zinc secondary battery.
ZNB advantages:
ZNB has a high energy density and can be installed compactly, and can operate at room temperature.
Because there is no risk of internal ignition or thermal runaway because an incombustible aqueous solution is used for the electrolyte,
It is extremely safe and suitable for indoor installation.
ZNB application fields:
Schools and hospitals,
Commercial facilities, including convenience stores,
Communication base stations, communication buildings,
In facilities where BCP (Business Continuity Plan) measures are important,
There is a strong demand for storage batteries that combine high safety and large capacity.
ZNB envisions adoption at these facilities.
News | NGK Corporation
https://www.ngk.co.jp/news/20191119_10616.html
https://www.aist.go.jp/aist_j/new_research/2019/nr20190704/nr20190704.html