Batteries so Safe They’re Firewalls with Eli Paster, CEO Polyjoule

In this podcast, Eli Paster, CEO of Polyjoule, discussed polymer-based battery technology and how it differs from conventional metal-based batteries. Eli explained that Polyjoule uses conductive polymers instead of lithium, nickel, cobalt, lead, or sodium, synthesizing its own conductive polymers from abundant hydrocarbon feedstocks. Eli detailed the safety advantages of polymer-based batteries, including the inability to enter thermal runaway, and demonstrated this by cutting open a cell and applying a blowtorch for five minutes with no fire. Sean and Eli explored potential applications in residential energy storage, building codes, and the possibility of Polyjoule batteries being rated as firewalls.

Topics Covered:

Polymer-Based Battery

Conductive Polymers

Hydrocarbon Feedstock

Monomers and Polymers

Polyacetylene

PVC = Polyvinyl Chloride

Lithium-Ion Battery

LFP = Lithium Iron Phosphate

NMC = Lithium Nickel Manganese Cobalt Oxide

NCA = Lithium Nickel Cobalt Aluminum Oxide