Toshiba's Super Charge Li-ion batteries: will crush, won't explode

Surely you remember the fear and lawsuits resulting from the 06/07 Lithium-battery fiasco? Who could forget. That's why Toshiba's going out of its way to assure us that their new "Super Li-ion" batteries (SCiBs) revealed yesterday will not result in an equally super meltdown. The new SCiBs feature a high flash point and separator with high heat resistance. As such, they are far less likely to suffer a thermal runaway resulting from a short-circuit. Don't believe us though, check the pneumatic, crush-test from Tosh after the break. We've even thrown in the ol' exploding laptop video for comparison. Ah, those were the days.

[Dustin @ Dec 12th 2007 5:51AM]

"will crush" - bah!

WILL BLEND?!

[DarkLightConnection @ Dec 12th 2007 5:55AM]

Nono, the question here is..

Will it B....urn?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XpB01L6KXog

[Charlie Taylor @ Dec 12th 2007 7:19AM]

damn you! got to it first!

[Fubar @ Dec 12th 2007 6:46AM]

Yes, I remember the exploding battery fiasco.

What I don't remember is, what ever happened to Sonny the Explody Battery?

[Charlie Taylor @ Dec 12th 2007 7:23AM]

um, he exploded?

That or he's in rehab, all those child stars end up there.

[bob sakamano @ Dec 12th 2007 6:52AM]

Good I am glad they have the crush factor cleared...

now maybe they can work on improving battery life longer than 1.3 hours?

http://www.engadget.com/2007/12/11/toshibas-satellite-t31-arrives-with-vista-windows-xp-in-box/

[Rocketboy @ Dec 12th 2007 9:19AM]

David Letterman called. He'd like his bit back.

I wonder what would happen if they tried to crush a Mr. T doll...

[Kris @ Dec 12th 2007 9:39AM]

Hey, now you can feel safer having 5,000 of these 3 feet away from your head.

[Mike @ Dec 12th 2007 11:17AM]

I wonder if this has anything to do with the remodeled Toyota Prius that's gonna have Li-ion batteries in it... I heard they were doing stuff with lithium batteries.

[Mark @ Dec 12th 2007 1:23PM]

It's not like the exploding batteries were crushed. Either there was a problem with the charging circuits or there was overheating.

So, not that I've looked at the video, but partially crush one then leave it on a constanct current charge and see what happens. Admittedly, the separator with the high heat resistance will probably help, but this video sounds like its addressing the completly wrong thing.

[onetruebill @ Dec 12th 2007 3:08PM]

You guys miss the point...
Can I use them in my pink Taser?

[TIMMAH! @ Dec 13th 2007 1:35AM]

[The Japanese manufactured] "SCiBs feature a high flash point and separator with high heat resistance. As such, they are far less likely to suffer a thermal runaway resulting from a short-circuit."

When they outsource the production to China, that's when the cost-cutting substitution of cardboard for the "high flash point and separator with high heat resistance" takes place...