Lumafield, the industrial X-ray CT technology firm, released the results of a study it conducted on the safety and quality of lithium-ion batteries.
The firm said it has found a gap in quality between brand-name batteries and low-cost cells that are widely available through online marketplaces.
The research evaluates more than one thousand 18650 lithium-ion battery cells from ten brands, ranging from popular OEMs to outright counterfeits. This involved samples of around 100 cells per brand. It said the quality difference was notable.
It found that nearly 8% of low-cost or counterfeit batteries could have a dangerous defect known as negative anode overhang, which accelerates aging and increases the risk of internal short-circuiting and battery fires. All 33 of these batteries came from low-cost or counterfeit brands.
The firm said that none of the 300 brand-name OEM cells from Murata, Samsung and Panasonic had negative anode overhang.
Low-cost/counterfeit 18650 cells had 50% worse edge alignment, meaning the winding of the internal layers of the cylindrical battery, compared to OEM cells.
The report focuses on lithium-ion batteries because of the popularity and the ubiquity of the format, and likewise the 18650 cells, which is used in devices such as from vapes and electronic toothbrushes to medical devices and some EVs.
“Non-OEM batteries are a minefield,” said Eduardo Torrealba, co-founder and CEO, Lumafield. “We’re seeing dangerous defects at a scale that should alarm every manufacturing leader. If you’re not policing your supply chain, you’re gambling with your brand and your customers’ safety. With trade barriers shifting weekly, risk compounds. Rapid industrial CT isn’t optional; it’s the best way to enforce safety and stop bad parts before they reach people.”
Image: Lumafield released its report comparing 18650 cell quality from OEMs and low-cost manufacturers. Credit: Lumafield.
