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Oct. 22, 2017 by James Ashley

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A new chemical made from the lead-acid electrolyte has been tested in a test at Oak Ridge National Laboratory in Tennessee, and it is effective in preventing an explosion. "This is a very important development," said Dr. Bruce Loomis, a senior scientist at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory.

To combat this, researchers developed a new type of metal called pyrolytic acid, which can be injected into the lead-acid electrolyte. These pyrolytic acid is a mixture of aluminum and zinc that is produced by cells. The lead-acid electrolyte is then placed in a sealed container with a small vacuum filled with water. When it comes out, the lead-acid electrode heats up, producing a toxic gas, which causes the lead-acid battery to fire.

(MORE: The Power of the Electro-Motive)

The researchers used a process known as "electrolysis"—a process that gives a lead-acid battery a chemical bond with oxygen and hydrogen. The chemistry is so simple that the scientists had to find something to do. But after experimenting, they found that they could use the pyrolytic acid to form a new, non-conductive polymer. The polymer was the same material that was used to put a lead-acid battery in a sealed container.

"We are using a new kind of metal, called magnesium, which is a very promising material for this experiment," said Loomis. "That is very promising because it does not require a big power supply and can be stored in a container for a very long time. But we need a solution that is very high-efficiency and can be used quickly and inexpensively."