A team of 10, including chemical, industrial, and mechanical engineers, worked on providing a rapid and effective response to fires in electric vehicles.

After a 3-year R&D study in the laboratories of Sakarya University, engineers produced a chemical solution that can quickly extinguish lithium battery fires, which tend to burn for a long time once ignited.

Ferhat Bozkurt, an industrial engineer and businessperson leading the team, told Anadolu Agency that it is difficult to extinguish lithium battery fires worldwide with existing methods.

Bozkurt noted that approximately 80 tons of water are used for cooling in electric vehicle fires and said, "This situation reveals the urgent need for a solution. We set out to minimize this risk. The most striking feature of the fire extinguishing agent we developed is its ability to reduce flaming lithium batteries from 1000 degrees to below 50 degrees in a short time. We completely cut off the fire’s reaction. This capability is currently a rare feature worldwide."

Testing and development activities are being conducted based on demands

Bozkurt emphasized that the product’s tests are being carried out in cooperation with the fire departments of Istanbul and Ankara, and after successful results, new field trials are planned with some fire departments in Europe, America, and China.

Bozkurt highlighted that the product developed with the support of Sakarya University is an important example of university-industry collaboration, stating, "Academics actively participated in the studies conducted at Sakarya University's fire laboratories. We produce in Konya but also carry out testing and development activities at different universities based on incoming demands."

They collaborate with electric car brands

Bozkurt emphasized that the new solution has potential not only for fire intervention but also for fire prevention, noting that some electric vehicle manufacturers have started R&D studies to completely prevent fires by coating batteries with this substance.

Bozkurt stated that the product will soon be available at all companies selling firefighting equipment.

Source: Anadolu Agency