Center for Environmental Research & Technology

Dr. Vinay Premnath | Director of Research, Energy Storage Safety, UL Research Institutes

Time: 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

Location: Zoom (Join Zoom Meeting; ID: 99120219071; Passcode: 571897)

Title: Particulate Emissions from Thermal Runaway of Li-ion Batteries

Abstract: Lithium-ion batteries can experience failure in the form of thermal runaway due to internal defects and also, when subjected to off-nominal operating conditions. Such failure events can result in the significant release of gaseous and particulate emissions, and be accompanied by smoke/fire. Thereby, posing a severe risk to human health and the environment. This presentation will focus on particulate emissions released during such failure events.

Bio: Vinay Premnath is the Director of Research with a focus on energy storage safety at the Electrochemical Safety Research Institute, part of UL Research Institutes. The Safety Research team conducts cutting-edge work to advance safer energy storage technologies, serving as a critical bridge toward a more sustainable future. Their research centers on understanding the performance and safety of various energy storage systems, developing solutions to mitigate safety risks, examining health and environmental impacts during failures, and creating effective response strategies for such events. 

The team also collaborates closely with government, industry, and academic experts to address global safety challenges. Prior to joining ULRI, Vinay was a Principal Engineer at Southwest Research Institute, where he worked for over 12 years.