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Exploding batteries: I thought this problem had been solved long ago

I remember that some of the first lithium batteries caught fire spontaneously, but that was ten years ago. How come we still have this problem?

We still have the problem because it's part of the technology -- put that much chemical energy into one place and you've made a bomb, in a sense, so there's not a lot that can be done to make it less likely to explode. Any solution is likely to lower the energy density so make batteries bigger and store less power.
The above is overly simplified but, to my mind at least, is the essence of the problem.

If airliners can burn, I guess notepads aren't likely to be exempt. Small/compact == dense.
Dense inflammables are always a worry ...

Also the rate of charging is important.

In the race for market share, many chargers use "fast charging" which tends to screw up the battery. Read below for more details.
third party chargers are labelled and sold as fast chargers.
http://www.bbc.com/news/technology-37255127

An excerpt from the article.

Quote:

It's important to understand a little about how they work. Simply they contain a cathode, an anode and lithium.

The cathode and anode are separated by an organic liquid called an electrolyte and a porous material called the separator.

The lithium travels through the separator, within the liquid, between the two.

If the battery charges too fast, generating heat, lithium plates form around the anode which can create a short circuit.

"Normally you would have a battery management system that controls the rate at which you charge," said Prof Grey.

...

Also from the same article - which people probably know.

Quote:

Signs to watch out for
There can be symptoms indicating that a battery is about to fail, said support and repairs provider Geek Squad.

"Sometimes, a battery will start to swell and bulge before it fails completely, as the internal cells rupture and break," it says on its website.

"But the bulge doesn't always happen. If not, you might notice that your device is a little warmer than usual - but let's be honest, our phones get fairly warm during standard usage anyway."

The firm suggests disposing of any batteries displaying these signs.

Yep and I was considering getting the Note7 , guess I'll have to wait a while now...

http://www.bbc.com/news/business-37253742

Quote:

I remember that some of the first lithium batteries caught fire spontaneously, but that was ten years ago. How come we still have this problem?

I don't ever recall the exploding battery problem being solved. Remember the burning hoverboards from last Christmas? :)

The element Lithium, when exposed to air, burns explosively. Search YouTube for "lithium fire."

(The element, Lithium, when exposed to war, burns for 15 years ...) :mad:

since it was a programming forum:
how many times will be the same (coding) error detected and fixed? (countless...)

Agree. The problem is not fixed people attempt to address by regulation and design, however given the largeness of the business world, it is very possible to buy dangerous batteries and further attach them dangerously to products. We used some very good 850 mAH LiON batteries, however in soldering leads to it, one of our techs shorted it by accident and took the load across his thumb. Very bad burn.

Quote:

Originally Posted by pan64 (Post 5601397)

since it was a programming forum:
how many times will be the same (coding) error detected and fixed? (countless...)

This isn't a logical error, it's a largely unpredictable (until humans can make perfect molecules) part of the very design.

Quote:

Originally Posted by rtmistler (Post 5601411)

Indeed, it's just an inherent risk until somebody perfects chemical compounds so pure their interactions can be predicted.

Because lithium-ion batteries are dangerous and they will not easily be made safe. Lithium iron phosphate less dangerous.

I got a talking to by TSA at the airline room about lithium batteries last year. I said that yes, I did have lithium batteries and showed them my phone. Guess it's OK as long as it might catch fire in your pants was the final answer.

There was an article on The Register about this very topic today, with a little information (not a lot but still interesting).

Quote:

Originally Posted by jefro (Post 5601694)

Or in your backpack if it's plugged into your laptop. I had specifically asked about that when I flew with my laptop, and apparently as long as the battery is IN a device, it's fine. Just can't be loose. Doesn't make a ton of sense IMO from a safety standpoint, but I definitely see why they allow them if they're in devices from a user-outrage standpoint.

They may end up having to require them to be placed in some sort of fire resistant container if things keep going.

The Register explores, in the usual Register style, the mechanics of why batteries explode:
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2016/09...eries_explode/