Menu

Understand a Circuit

Context

Batteries work within a circuit, which includes an energy source, a conductor, and a load (device receiving energy).

A short circuit occurs when electrical current flows on an unintended path where it meets too little resistance. A short circuit can happen inside or outside of a cell. The result is that too much electrical energy flows through this new path.

A short circuit within a lithium-ion battery can lead to thermal runaway.

Find this resource
Pathway
The Science of Thermal Runaway
Chapter
How does a lithium-ion battery work?
More like this:
Resource Library

The Science of Thermal Runaway

Engineering Solutions

From hoverboards to cell phones, portable electrical power makes life as we know it possible. But it can come with some dangerous possibilities. Let’s investigate, experiment and search for solutions.

The Science of Extraction to E-Waste

Trade-Offs & the Supply Chain

Safe and sustainable cities will depend on lithium-ion batteries to power our modern lives. But what are the costs?

The Science of Fire Forensics

Claims, Evidence and Reasoning

There’s been a fire. Your job is to figure out where the fire started, and how.

The Science of Fire Safety

Fire safety is a complex problem without a single answer. Learn how to engineer and design fire safe spaces.