How Nexceris’ Li-ion Tamer Tech Boosts Safety for Honeywell

Lithium-ion batteries are used in lots of technology including EVs, renewable energy storage, consumer electronics, power tools and medical devices. 

The light weight and high energy density design makes them ideal for portable electronics. 

Due to their longer lifespan, faster charging times and a lower total cost of ownership, larger networks – like data centres – also often use Li-ion batteries over traditional batteries. 

However, there is growing concern around the Li-ion battery following instances of rapid intense fires that release toxic fumes.

The cause of these fires can be simple consumer mistakes such as:
- Over-charging the battery
- Using an incompatible lead to charge the battery
- Physical damage to the battery from impacts 
- High temperatures that lead to overheating

"As lithium-ion battery use grows rapidly across data centers, EV infrastructure and grid-scale energy storage, the risk of fire is increasing in parallel," says Billal Hammoud, CEO of Honeywell's Building Automation segment.

How Honeywell and Nexceris are addressing the issue?

Li-ion Tamer, created by Nexceris, is a leading off-gas detection system that detects thermal runaway events from lithium-ion batteries. 

Following a five year partnership, Honeywell and Nexceris have strategically addressed li-ion battery system safety together as Honeywell acquires the Li-ion Tamer technology to implement into its fire safety system.

The companies have made this a priority as Li-ion batteries demand is expected to grow by more than 30% annually through 2030 to greater than US$400bn.

"Li-ion Tamer's early warning technology has been revolutionary for our customers and partners over the last five years,” says Billial.

“Building on our legacy partnership, the acquisition of this product suite will position Honeywell as a leader in early gas detection and battery fire prevention. We expect this tuck-in acquisition to further bolster growth of our fire detection business."

Li-ion Tamer will be integrated into Honeywell's Building Automation business, offering a comprehensive suite of fire detection products alongside its existing smoke detection technology and life safety solutions. 

The detection technology provides a warning up to 30 minutes in advance, giving vital time to intervene before a fire starts.

“It's a happy day here in Commercial Fire. I am so proud to welcome the Li-ion Tamer team to the Honeywell Family,” says Katie Davis, Chief Technology Officer, Commercial Fire at Honeywell.

“I am looking forward to shaping the future of Fire Detection together.” 

What is thermal runaway?

Thermal runaway refers to an uncontrolled, self heating process that generates heat faster than it can release.

It occurs when a system heats up, normally due to damage or extreme temperatures. The heat can trigger an exothermic reaction, which releases the heat.

This can accelerate the reaction, creating a cycle of escalating temperature, and heat can then spread to other cells, causing them to overheat and enter thermal runaway.

This can result in explosions, fire and the release of toxic gases.

What is Nexceris?

Nexceris is a clean energy innovator that has been focusing on renewable energy for more than two years.

Under Nexceris testing there have been no battery fires using its technology.

Nexceris’s focus with Li-ion Tamer technology was to make Li-ion batteries more usable and safe, following the reduction in consumer confidence in the safety of EV and less purchases of Li-ion batteries in stationary energy storage.

Kyle Shen has been CEO of Nexceris for more than eight years.

He has a Master of Business Administration from Darden School of Business at the University of Virginia.

Kyle says: “Our vision is to create a better world through energy innovations. We collaborate with leading global customers and partners to transform powerful ideas into solutions that make energy production safer, more efficient and environmentally responsible.

“I am excited for Honeywell to continue growing Li-ion Tamer to make lithium-ion batteries safer.”

Honeywell has begun to offer Li-ion Tamer to its customers now.

“Li-ion Tamer’s differentiated technology detects battery off-gassing up to 30 minutes before thermal runaway, helping prevent dangerous lithium-ion battery fires. This is a critical capability as demand for energy storage, EV infrastructure and data centres continues to surge,” says Chris Ladas, CTO Building Management Solutions at Honeywell.