When Lithium-ion Batteries Explode-(Tesla has 6340 per car)

dailytech ^ | May 27, 2008 6:47 P | Paul Mah

[Flavius]

Lithium-ion batteries are both a blessing and a curse when it comes to mobile electronics

The topic of exploding lithium-ion batteries has been debated to death in the wake of massive battery recalls over the last couple of years. Amidst the deft public relations maneuvering and finger-pointing, however, the question as to why they explode in the first place is still shrouded in mystery for many.

The most important thing to understand here is that lithium-ion technology is considerably more volatile compared to other forms of rechargeable battery technologies. Defects in the insulating membrane can result in a mini-explosion that rips a battery open to release steam in excess of 600 degrees Fahrenheit.

BlackBerry Curve battery: Cells made in Japan, but assembled where? (Source: Paul Mah)

[curiosity]

Wow. That's scary. Almost as scary as when gasoline tanks explode.

[curiosity]

Bad enough when a laptop battery explodes, at least you can jump up and run away. You may not be able to do that in a car.

And all know that gasoline tanks are perfectly safe and never explode. /sarcasm.

[curiosity]

Yes, and one thing consistently missing from the debate is this thing called perspective.

Exactly. This article would make great material for John Stossel's "Are we Scaring Ourselves to Death?"

[Balding_Eagle]

Well, the difference is that usually there is an outside factor in the gasoline explosion, a collision for example.

Not so for the battery. At least not a noticable outside force.