Thermal runaway (TR) refers to a hazardous phenomenon where a chain of exothermic reactions spontaneously increases the temperature of battery cells. This is often triggered by internal malfunctions such as short-circuiting or external occurrences such as nail penetration. Different types of lithium-ion cells behave differently during TR, and even seemingly identical cells tested under the same conditions can show differences in heat generation. Understanding the variation in thermal behaviour statistically is important for battery safety management. However, it requires large-scale experimental testing, which is not only time-consuming but also necessitates rigorous data collection and analysis. Now, Donal Finegan and colleagues across the USA, UK, and France present an open-source dataset, referred to as the Battery Failure Databank, containing hundreds of abuse tests designed to induce TR across various commercial Li-ion cell designs and testing conditions.

In contrast to previous datasets on thermal behaviour during TR, Finegan and colleagues collected their data using a technique called fractional thermal runaway calorimetry. This method measures the total heat released, as well as the fractional breakdown of the heat released through the cell casing and ejected materials during TR. Additionally, the researchers recorded high-speed synchrotron radiography videos to observe the internal dynamic response of cells during TR. The resulting databank provides a valuable resource for evaluating and comprehending battery thermal behaviour. For example, correlations were revealed between the fraction of mass ejected from cells, the total heat output, and the cell energy and power density. This allowed the researchers to explain the thermal variation during TR among cells.

热失控（TR）是指一系列放热反应自发升高电池温度的危险现象。这通常是由短路等内部故障或钉子刺穿等外部事件触发的。不同类型的锂离子电池在 TR 过程中的表现不同，即使在相同条件下测试的看似相同的电池也会显示出热量产生的差异。了解热行为的统计变化对于电池安全管理非常重要。然而，它需要大规模的实验测试，不仅耗时，而且需要严格的数据收集和分析。现在，Donal Finegan 及其来自美国、英国和法国的同事提出了一个开源数据集，称为电池故障数据库，其中包含数百项滥用测试，旨在在各种商业锂离子电池设计和测试条件下诱导 TR。

与之前关于TR期间热行为的数据集相比，Finegan和同事使用一种称为分数热失控量热法的技术收集了他们的数据。该方法测量释放的总热量，以及 TR 期间通过电池外壳和喷射材料释放的热量的分解分数。此外，研究人员还录制了高速同步加速器射线照相视频，以观察TR期间细胞的内部动态响应。由此产生的数据库为评估和理解电池热行为提供了宝贵的资源。例如，揭示了电池排出的质量分数、总热量输出以及电池能量和功率密度之间的相关性。这使得研究人员能够解释细胞之间 TR 期间的热变化。