A team of 10, including chemical, industrial, and mechanical engineers, worked on rapid and effective intervention for 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, stated 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. It completely cuts off the fire’s reaction. This capability is currently a rare feature worldwide." He emphasized that the product’s tests are being carried out in cooperation with the fire departments of Istanbul and Ankara, and following 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 cooperation, stating, "Academics actively participated in the studies conducted at Sakarya University's fire laboratories. We produce in Konya, but we also carry out testing and development activities for sending our product to different countries worldwide." Emphasizing that the new system quickly neutralizes the fire and prevents lithium batteries from reigniting, Bozkurt said that the R&D study, which reduces fire risks in some electric vehicles, was successful. Bozkurt added that they aim to become the nightmare of flaming lithium batteries worldwide in a short time.

Source: Anadolu Agency