Lithium-ion batteries have been flirting with spontaneous combustion recently, most notoriously when packaged in Dell laptops. Technophiles, journalists, and bloggers shower us with gleeful coverage of burned-up trucks, Christmas presents gone awry, and the potential danger of airplane computing.
Why's this happening? As we demand more power from our increasingly tiny electrical devices, batteries must shrink while storing more energy. Small container + lots of energy = instability. Lithium-ion batteries' potent combination of carbon, oxygen, and a flammable lithium electrolyte are a poaching ground for fire--one spark and the battery, when charged, can ignite. Mechanical malfunction, manufacturing error, or exposure to very high temperatures can cause (thankfully rare) internal fires.
But we won't stop using Li-Ion batteries, because they are lightweight, low-maintenance, and one of the longest-lasting batteries made. Take me: the idea of losing round-the-clock access to my palm-sized cell phone, iPod, or wireless Internet connection (all run on lithium-ion batteries--I checked) terrifies me. What if that guy calls? What if I can't listen to music on my commute? What if I miss a last-minute appointment? What if something happens??
And it's not just me. Everyone I know must be instantly available. If my cousin doesn't pick up her phone, my friends aren't online, my grandmother doesn't answer my e-mail, my best friend doesn't text me good night, then something's wrong. I panic.
We've condemned ourselves to 24-hour connectivity, in business and in our personal lives. And if flaming laptops are the result, well, so be it. I can handle a blaze. The fire department's on my speed dial.
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Posted by: Corris | August 24, 2006 at 12:49 PM
As part of a major corporation (you may remember we did the Grace building or the statue in Lafayette Square... I know we couldn't get the green stuff off), we use PLENTY of Lithium-Ion batteries. As such we are aware of the fire hazard that accompanies these life-saving devices. I'm glad this post finally addresses the primary reason these batteries are used, even in the face of potential risks. Kruger Industrial Smoothing needs to be on-call in case of emergencies 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Without these tiny batteries, we wouldn't be able to compete and respond quickly to problems. Thanks for staying on top of things.
PS Big fans of the blog here at the office - especially Neil Watkins from Accounting
Posted by: Coco Higgins | August 24, 2006 at 12:57 AM