Science & Technology
Published: July 26, 2024 | Updated: 26th July 2024
Two Hampshire-based companies have introduced a pioneering solution to combat lithium-ion battery fires in personal electronic devices (PEDs) on aircraft.
Barnbrook Systems (Barnbrook) and Flair launched their innovative E-bag at the Farnborough International Airshow.
The E-bag, designed for aviation, allows aircrew to safely isolate and extinguish fires caused by devices such as tablets and mobile phones.
It can also handle devices emitting smoke or extreme heat.
The E-bag’s smart fabric, incorporating nano technology, smothers the battery or device by cutting off air, ensuring efficient fire suppression.
Barnbrook’s BlueCube© technology will monitor the E-bag’s interior, providing live readings of temperature and humidity. This allows suspect devices to be placed inside as a precaution, tracked during extinguishing, and monitored until safe removal.
Both companies are based in Fareham, Hampshire, and developed the E-bag in response to the rising threat from lithium-ion batteries on aircraft.
The UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) reported 65 incidents of lithium-ion battery fires in 2023, a 60 per cent increase from the previous year.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) noted a 42 per cent rise in battery fires from 2018 to 2023, with incidents now occurring at an average rate of over one per week.
Andrew Barnett, managing director of Barnbrook Systems and a board member of Farnborough Aerospace Consortium, said: “Connectivity is increasing on aircraft, with passenger services enhancing internet availability and recharging capabilities.
“This can be a recipe for disaster with so many lithium-ion batteries in a highly pressurised and risk-averse environment. Fires caused by lithium-ion batteries are becoming more common and are notoriously difficult to extinguish.
“E-bag’s smart fabric allows PEDs that are alight, overheating, or smoking to be safely isolated and extinguished.
“This improves safety for passengers and aircrew, averts potentially life-threatening situations, and benefits business continuity, risk management, and customer confidence.
“We are excited to launch the E-bag at Farnborough International Airshow and have started negotiations with an international company. The combination of smart fabric and BlueCube© has the power to transform travel and safety in aviation and other sectors. This advancement underscores our commitment to enhancing safety measures within the industry.”
The E-bag is the first product launched from the collaboration between Barnbrook and Flair.
Their partnership aims to revolutionise the Intelligent Internet of Things (IoT) sector with cutting-edge innovations and solutions.
This collaboration highlights their commitment to safety through a “prevent and protect” philosophy.
In addition to the E-Bag, the partnership has produced a new personal location beacon.
This device offers applications from man-overboard scenarios to ensuring the safety of lone individuals in the workplace or during leisure activities.
The flair beacon, with its advanced tracking and real-time monitoring features, is set to become an essential tool across various sectors.