The rapid expansion of lithium-based energy storage has transformed nearly every aspect of modern life, from electric vehicles and renewable energy systems to portable electronics and industrial power solutions. As battery technologies scale in both energy density and deployment volume, the consequences of thermal runaway and fire incidents have become increasingly visible and urgent. Despite advances in electrochemistry and battery engineering, the industry still lacks a comprehensive, up-to-date reference that systematically explains how flame-retardant materials, structural barriers, and thermal-management strategies can be integrated to prevent or contain catastrophic failure under realistic abuse conditions. This book fills that critical gap and provides a unified, cross-disciplinary understanding of the mechanisms, materials, and engineering principles that govern thermal runaway initiation, propagation, suppression, and isolation in lithium battery systems.

. Bridges fundamental materials science with practical battery safety engineering by synthesizing advances in flame-retardant chemistry, high-performance insulative materials, intumescent and ceramic barrier technologies, and system-level structural design.

. Offers a clear and coherent framework for designing safer, more resilient energy storage systems.

. Spans from the molecular level to the component, module, and pack levels, where these innovations must be translated into manufacturable, cost-effective, and regulation-compliant solutions.

. Explores experimental characterization techniques, modeling tools, and engineering case studies that allow readers to evaluate the performance and limitations of different safety strategies under realistic electrical, mechanical, and thermal abuse scenarios.

This volume is intended for researchers exploring next-generation safety materials; engineers responsible for battery system design, validation, and certification; and policymakers or safety analysts seeking a deeper understanding of the technologies shaping future standards.

Zhirong Wang is the Dean of the College of Emergency Management at Nanjing Tech University, China, and the Director of the Key Laboratory of New Energy Storage Battery Safety and Emergency Technology in the Petroleum and Chemical Industry. He has been at Nanjing Tech University since 2005 and served as a visiting professor at University of Maryland from 2013 to 2014. His research interests include fire and explosion prevention and control, hazardous chemical safety, lithium-ion battery safety, and hydrogen safety.

Junling Wang received his doctorate degree in 2021 from the State Key Laboratory of Fire Science, University of Science and Technology of China, and is currently an Associate Professor at Nanjing Tech University. His research focuses on the disaster patterns caused by battery thermal runaway and key prevention and control technologies.