Source: Market Information 
The high energy density of ternary lithium batteries has always been overshadowed by the Damocles sword of "thermal runaway" - once a high-nickel ternary cell triggers thermal runaway, the temperature can soar to 800-1200℃ within 5-6 seconds, and chain thermal diffusion, fire and explosion are almost inevitable. This is an inescapable safety Achilles' heel for the new energy vehicle and energy storage industries. 
At the 14th Energy Storage International Summit and Exhibition held in early April, the team of Shen Xiaodong from Nanjing Tech University showcased a new material - the world's first aerogel insulation sheet capable of withstanding temperatures up to 1,300°C, establishing the ultimate defense line for the thermal safety of lithium batteries. A safety revolution driven by materials has thus begun. 
Ⅰ. Hardcore Breakthrough: 2mm Aerogel, Burned at 1000°C for 5 Minutes, Backside Only 100°C 
Core performance data: An aerogel insulation sheet just 2.3 millimeters thick can withstand a 1000°C high-temperature burn on the front for 5 minutes, while keeping the backside temperature consistently below 100°C. This is equivalent to placing a "super fire wall" as thin as a coin between the battery cells, effectively confining the flames of thermal runaway within a single cell. The thermal isolation time is extended from minutes to 2 hours, leaving no chance for chain diffusion. 
Two major technological breakthroughs: 
Supercritical drying technology: Solving the mass production and cost problems of aerogels. Traditional drying methods tend to damage the nano-porous structure. This technology uses supercritical CO₂ to extract solvents, fully preserving the thermal insulation network. The ethanol recovery rate exceeds 99.5%, and the raw material cost is halved, enabling large-scale production. 
Nanocrystalline framework structure optimization: Balancing high-temperature resistance and flexibility. By adjusting the reaction conditions, the fragile framework is transformed into a flexible long-chain structure, with a compression recovery rate exceeding 90%, capable of withstanding temperatures up to 1300°C, and simultaneously adapting to the vibration and compression of battery packs, thus breaking away from the limitations of "laboratory materials". 
II. Current Implementation Status: Cost Reduction and Policy Dual-Drive Transform Aerogel from "Optional" to "Mandatory" 
This 1300℃ aerogel is not a laboratory concept. It has already been applied in high-end vehicles and special energy storage scenarios of leading battery manufacturers and car companies such as CATL, BYD, Sungrow Power Supply, and Xiaomi Automobile. The reason it is difficult to be widely popularized is that it is expensive. Just the addition of this heat insulation material can increase the cost of a vehicle by one or two thousand. 
Shen Xiaodong's team has directly halved the raw material costs. This cost reduction by half implies a significant change in the industry logic, and aerogel insulation sheets are expected to become a mainstream and essential component for new energy vehicles. 
In terms of policy, in 2025, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology issued the strictest battery safety regulations in history, mandating the upgrading of the standard for battery cell insulation materials. The 15th Five-Year Plan Outline requires accelerating the development of the new materials industry, and aerogel materials have been explicitly included in the national strategic list. 
Driven by policy promotion and cost reduction, the scissors gap in supply and demand has made aerogel an inevitable choice for batteries and energy storage. 
III. Industrial Chain Review 
The competitive landscape in the midstream sector remains unsettled. Whoever holds the most cutting-edge technology and gains entry into the supply chain lists of leading battery and vehicle manufacturers first will emerge as the leader in this round of technological iteration. It should be noted that the most technologically advanced player in the midstream currently is Jia Yun New Materials, led by Shen Xiaodong (unlisted), and its presence will disrupt the valuation center of the entire industrial chain. 
At the same time, it should be noted that even after the raw material costs are halved, they are still higher than the current insulation costs of lithium batteries. The pace of industrial renewal may fall short of expectations.