WATCH: Why do Li-ion batteries explode?

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WATCH: Why do Li-ion batteries explode?
Lithium-ion batteries are the standard for today's devices, especially when it comes to our beloved gadgets.

Dubai - Three main reasons can cause what is called 'thermal runaway'

By Alvin R. Cabral

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Published: Fri 2 Sep 2016, 4:51 PM

Last updated: Sun 4 Sep 2016, 2:03 AM

Samsung's literally explosive start to its Galaxy Note 7 sales culminated in forcing the South Korean firm to delay shipments and ultimately announce a recall, an unprecedented move, from the tech industry giant.
Premium technology devices are manufactured to the highest standards. Still, as they say, nothing's perfect; the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission lists 43 recalls for lithium-ion batteries since 2002 - the same type used on the Galaxy Note 7.
While it does happen in rare occasions, this leads to the question: what causes Li-ion batteries to explode in the first place?
The answer is fairly simple: it's due to what is called as a "thermal runaway". By definition, this means the battery overheats, potentially setting off fire.
However, the root of thermal runaway can vary, and it can be broken down into three main reasons:
- Manufacturing error, when the components are improperly installed;
- Mechanical issues, which could be the result of incorrect handling, such as dropping the battery;
- Short-circuit within the battery
If any or all of these happen in a battery, and it doesn't have enough capabilities to cool off within a certain time period, it can lead to a chain reaction that generates even more heat, setting up the stage for a potentially damaging scenario.
Folks at UCL Chemical Engineering gave an in-depth look into this:

Sure, Li-ion batteries are the standard for today's devices, especially when it comes to our beloved gadgets. But, as they say, there's always room for improvement.
A Note 7 that caught fire:

- alvin@khaleejtimes.com


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