Reaction products from electrode fracture and Coulomb explosions in batteries

We re-examine published theories that predict large acceleration of electrons for materials under great stress and that successfully describe neutron and other particle production in natural phenomena as well as in laboratory experiments. A fracture mechanics analysis obeying Griffith's law allows us to deduce the critical micro-crack size and elastic stresses essential for estimating the electric fields; boosts in the Lorentz factor of the electrons and towards the expected frequency spectrum of electro-magnetic radiation in micro-cavities. They are also applied here to study the energetics behind shredding and fracture of a cathode in a battery under substantial dc voltages (⩾400 V). We show quantitatively that the electric fields generated and the subsequent acceleration of electrons and ions at the tip of a shredding cathode can be comparable to that in fracturing rocks and other geophysical processes. Some experimental evidence showing production of new elements is presented. We also reconsider previous theory and experiments about Coulomb explosions and establish easy and proper protocols for the Coulomb explosions of alkali metals in our quest for establishing processes-beyond purely chemical-discovered in other electrolytes.