Lithium ion batteries have a catch — flammability. This Md. company has an alternative.

Lithium ion batteries are found in many products, including cellphones and other portable electronics, as well as electric vehicles. The batteries, which use liquid electrolytes, have drawbacks, however.  One of the biggest is their tendency to overheat, which can lead to fires. To address that problem, Beltsville-based Ion Storage Systems has developed a solid-state battery that uses nonflammable materials. The technology was created by Eric Wachsman, who founded the company in 2019 and serves as its executive chairman.