Greenville, South Carolina-based Soteria Battery Innovation Group filed a patent application on a battery safety technology designed to reduce the probability and ferocity of e-bike battery fires. Company officials said the technology offers a simple yet effective solution: a thermally insulating, fire-retardant blanket that can be easily wrapped around each individual cell within an e-bike battery pack. By slowing or preventing fire propagation from cell to cell, the technology addresses a critical safety concern in the e-bike market, the officials said. E-bike batteries often are composed of more than 50 individual cells, closely packed within a tight, sealed container. The officials said when one cell catches fire, the resulting heat can quickly ignite neighboring cells, causing 50 miniature explosions, each one shooting jets of flame and molten material outside the battery pack.

This honeycomb structure is known for its strength-to-weight ratio, making it ideal for applications where weight is a critical factor. The technology utilizes a novel approach to create a lightweight, high-performance material that is both strong and durable. This approach involves a combination of advanced manufacturing techniques, including 3D printing and laser sintering, to create intricate and complex geometries.

* Soteria officials have stated that their batteries have no insulation between the cells. * This lack of insulation is a safety concern, as it increases the risk of fire and explosion. * The company has not yet released a statement regarding the safety concerns.

With e-bike battery pack prices running $700 – 900 or more, this technology represents a small add-on to significantly improve safety, the officials said. They said installation is straightforward: once the cells are placed in their frame, the honeycomb slips neatly over the array of cells, allowing a top frame, busbars and other electrical components to be installed in their normal fashion afterwards.