SBIR Phase I: Safer batteries to mitigate injuries from accidental ingestion in children

这项小型企业创新研究（SBIR）项目的更广泛影响/商业潜力是开发一种新型电池设计，该电池在与水环境接触时迅速失效。每年，数以万计的儿童因摄入硬币电池而受苦。这些孩子可能会遭受不必要的衰弱，有时甚至是致命的后果。随着物联网（IOT）和使用紧凑、高能量密度、消费者可更换电池的可穿戴设备的普及，意外电池摄入的风险也在增加。越来越多的人要求这种电池具有更高的电位或容量（或两者兼而有之），并对毫无戒心的儿童构成更大的风险。在全球范围内，每年销售100亿个硬币电池，这是增长最快，利润最高的消费电池领域之一。到2024年，锂电池初级市场的销售额预计将达到近20亿美元。硬币电池的消费者使用量正在增长；到2030年，预计全球将售出1250亿个物联网设备，其中许多设备由硬币电池供电。潜在的儿童摄入问题的严重性是显著的。该SBIR一期项目旨在通过使用一种新型材料设计，在硬币电池接触水环境时迅速失效，减少因注入硬币电池而造成的儿童伤害。该研究解决了电化学烧伤的基本问题。该解决方案将符合硬币电池在电气和其他性能要求方面的既定标准。第一阶段的研究工作将包括为硬币电池的特定组件确定合适的材料，证明新型材料组合可以使用可扩展的工艺制造，并生产手工组装的锂初级硬币电池，该电池在连续欧姆负载和脉冲放电条件下具有适当的开路电位和放电特性。研究小组还试图证明，当细胞接触到水环境时，完全组装的细胞会迅速失活。测试包括使用高灵敏度的源测量单元在水环境中施加电位和检测电流。此外，材料的稳健性将测试电气，机械和可加工性参数。放电和电池性能测试程序将按照现行标准使用。该奖项反映了美国国家科学基金会的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的知识价值和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

The broader impact/commercial potential of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) project is to develop a novel battery design which rapidly deactivates in contact with aqueous environments. Every year, tens of thousands of children suffer as a result of ingesting coin cell batteries. These children may needlessly suffer debilitating and sometimes fatal consequences. Exposure to unforeseen battery ingestions increases with the proliferation of Internet of Things (IOT) and wearable devices that use compact, high energy density, batteries replaceable by the consumer. Such batteries are increasingly required to have higher potential or capacity (or both) and pose an ever-greater risk to unsuspecting children. Worldwide, 10 billion coin cell batteries are sold annually and this is one of the fastest growing, highest margin consumer battery segments. These sales are expected to translate to nearly $2 billion in the lithium battery primary market by 2024. Consumer use of coin cells is growing; By 2030, 125 billion IOT devices are expected to be sold globally many powered by coin cells. The magnitude of the potential child-ingestion problem is significant. This SBIR phase I project seeks to reduce children's injuries caused by injesting coin cell batteries by using a novel material design to rapidly deactivate coin cell batteries when they come into contact with aqueous environments. The research addresses the fundamental issue of electrochemical burns. The solution will conform to established standards for coin cell batteries in terms of electrical and other performance requirements. Phase I research efforts will include identifying suitable materials for specific component(s) of a coin cell battery, demonstrating that novel material combinations can be manufactured using scalable process, and producing hand-assembled lithium primary coin cell batteries that have an appropriate open circuit potential and electrical discharge characteristics under continuous ohmic load and pulsed discharge conditions. The teams also seeks to demonstrate that fully-assembled cells deactivate rapidly when the cells come into contact with aqueous environments. The tests include the use of highly sensitive source measure unit(s) to apply potential and detect current in aqueous environments. Additionally, material robustness will be tested for electrical, mechanical, and processability parameters. Electrical discharge and battery performance testing procedures will be used in accordance with current standards.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.