Charged EVs | PolyJoule’s 3rd-gen conductive polymer battery self-extinguishes at 3,600 °F and delivers 10,000+ cycles

PolyJoule has released its third-generation conductive polymer battery chemistry, packaged in a new large-format prismatic cell with a new proprietary polymer cathode and a liquid salt electrolyte. The MIT spinout is targeting markets where lithium-ion fire risk creates barriers—dense commercial buildings, residential installations and indoor industrial environments.

Conventional battery chemistries—lithium-ion, lead-acid, nickel, sodium-ion—store charge in metallic crystalline lattices. Conductive polymers hold charge along an organic molecular backbone, removing the reactive metals and volatile liquid electrolytes responsible for thermal runaway and fire propagation. PolyJoule says the architecture also eliminates dendrite formation.

The self-extinguishing behavior was demonstrated using a propane blowtorch at approximately 3,600 °F (1,982 °C) applied directly to the cell’s internal components. Heat and gas were generated during the test, but the cell extinguished the moment the flame was removed. PolyJoule says it was the first company to validate through UL 9540A testing that its cells do not reach thermal runaway. Third-generation chemistry delivers a 10x energy density improvement over the company’s first generation while still achieving more than 10,000 cycles. No active thermal management is required.

“Batteries shouldn’t start fires. Batteries shouldn’t spread fires. Batteries shouldn’t catch on fire,” said Eli Paster, co-founder and CEO. Timothy Swager, an MIT chemistry professor and PolyJoule co-founder, described the electrolyte as having “a vapor pressure a billion times lower than that of the electrolytes used in Li-ion batteries.” A factor he says makes the chemistry safe for homes and businesses.

PolyJoule will begin accepting applications from qualified solar, battery and generator installers in select markets later this year for commercial, industrial and residential energy storage.

Source: PolyJoule