A Fareham firm has developed technology to combat exploding lithium-ion batteries.

Barnbrook Systems, along with Flair, has created the E:bag, which isolates and deals with overheating or smoking batteries and their devices, such as mobile phones and laptops.

The E:bag has been filmed for the BBC’s The One Show, which has nearly three million viewers.

It uses patented nanotechnology, creating a temperature-sensitive smart fabric that smothers and extinguishes flames or prevents ignition.

The E:bag is being trialled at TJ Waste & Recycling in Portsmouth, which suffered a fire earlier this year caused by a battery that shut the M275 for days.

Andrew Barnett, managing director of 50-strong Barnbrook Systems, said: "It was a spectacular demonstration of the E:bag’s capabilities.

"We used a lithium-ion battery from a smart phone, which exploded into flames and then were completely supressed when placed in the E:bag.

"Our thanks go to The One Show for visiting and helping us to spread the word about how this increasingly dangerous issue can be dealt with in a safe, secure and efficient way."

The development of the E:bag comes in the wake of the Lithium-ion Battery Safety Bill, which seeks to improve the safe storage, use, and disposal of these batteries.

The bill is currently at its committee stage in the House of Lords.

The E:bag, equipped with Barnbrook’s BlueCube tracking and monitoring sensors, is the UK’s first pilot project of its kind.

Interest in the E:bag has been growing since its launch in July.

Barnbrook and Flair are in talks with major international airlines, the insurance industry, and one of the UK’s top waste management companies about using the E:bag.

Issues with lithium-ion batteries arise when the battery’s temperature rises uncontrollably, a process known as thermal runaway.

Since 2020, 10 people have died and 190 have been injured in fires linked to these batteries, according to the British Safety Council.

The UK Civil Aviation Authority reported 65 incidents of lithium-ion battery fires involving passenger-carried devices in 2023, a 60 per cent increase from the previous year.

The E:bag feature on The One Show is yet to be screened.