JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Lithium ion batteries power many items that are used in our daily lives, among them are your cell phone, laptops and electric vehicles.
These batteries are the driving force behind the EV market and a potential threat to growth in that industry.
Auto makers are still grappling with battery fire risk; lithium batteries that can overheat and become a fire.
"Lithium batteries are the foundation which these EVs are running on," said Michael Mo.
Mo is the CEO of KULR Technology group. Thermal management is its focus.
"They ( batteries) have an inherent risk called thermal runaway," said Mo.
Mo told On Your Side thermal runaway is contributing to a rash of electric car fires.
In fact, Hyundai and BMW recently issued recalls on some models.
Ford has delayed the introduction of its new plug in Hybrid Escape and a earlier this month the government launched an investigation into complaints about electric battery fires in GMs Chevy electric Bolts.
"We are at the early stages of this EV revolution, renewable energy evolution, and safety performance is a critical part of that," said Mo.
He said his company has developed thermal management technology is now being used by NASA on its MARS Rover 2020 program.
The California company is now providing battery safety and testing devices to the Federal Aviation Administration.
Its internal short circuit technology is being used to evaluate problems leading to passenger lithium-ion battery malfunctions that can cause smoke and fire incidents aboard aircrafts
"We are also working with electric car companies to deploy some of the Mars Rover technology," said Mo, " we are working on performance and safety of EVs."
They're working on rechargeable energy storage systems and shields to minimize thermal runaway.
At the personal level Mo said If you own a plug in hybrid or all electric car don't panic.
He said follow the charging guidelines and keep your software updated.
According to published reports, by 2050 between 60 and 80% of global new car sales will be electric (this comprises battery, plug-in hybrid and fuel cells.)
And companies are pumping billions into the industry with a focus on electric vehicle (EV) batteries performance and safety.