Fraunhofer takes a stab at non-exploding lithium-ion batteries
By Donald Melanson 
posted Apr 10th 2008 6:12PM
posted Apr 10th 2008 6:12PM
It's hardly the only one working on making lithium-ion batteries a little less likely to blow up in your face, but the prolific folks at Fraunhofer Institute seem to think that they've come up with a solid contender for your future laptop or cellphone, and they're now set to take the wraps off it at the Hannover Messe conference later this month. The key to their solution, it seems, is the use of a non-flammable polymer electrolyte instead of the liquid electrolyte now commonly used in lithium-ion batteries. While that switch cuts down on the explosiveness, it also introduced a fair number of challenges, not the least of which is the fact that polymer becomes less conductive as it gets more solid. Fraunhofer's apparently made some significant progress on that front, however, and while they're still not completely satisfied with the conductivity, they say the batteries could be ready for commercial use in three to five years. They also, not surprisingly, see no end to the uses for 'em, saying that they could not only wind up in laptops and cellphones, but power tools, lawnmowers, and potentially even cars.[Thanks, Mademoiselle Y]
My cellphone battery is actually bloated, but it is still usable. I am getting a new phone on Friday.
Thats what they all said, shortly before bursting into flames!
"...they say the batteries could be ready for commercial use in three to five years..." Hell, in 3 to 5 years my 4 ounce flexible, clothing-imbedded 'wearable laptop' will be running soley on the differential voltage between my armpits!
If that were the power source, I'm certain it would overload and explode as well.
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Hmmmm... you may well have something there, Lowest.... I'll have to research installing nuclear reactor-style flux-dampening graphite rods into my muscle-T's and apply only RightGuard with SurgeProtection™!
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If you have a voltage differential between your armpits....
dude, get that checked out.
Hell i'm still waiting for my flying car!
I always thought the exploding bit was a nice bonus.
If it weren't for the recalls, that'd be nice turnaround, no?
Well they certainly wouldn't want to take a stab at an exploding lithium ion battery, now would they?
I like living on the edge of exploding with my current laptop
pwned...
Safe batteries already exist: http://www.valence.com/technology/safety_video.html
I have an older Sony Vaio, and when the battery expanded it almost destroyed the computer. It currently is about 2.5 inches tall, compared to the laptop's 1 inch thickness.....
A123 Systems has already created a stable Lithium-ion polymer battery that does not explode violently or catch fire under the same conditions a Lithium-ion battery does. It's already used in several commercial products to boot.
Late to the party, perhaps?
I say add some C4 and do the explosion the right way. If you want to kill your customers this bad, then don't pull any punches.
Haven't Lithium Polymer batteries already been in use for the last decade (mostly R/C stuff, i think)? Maybe I'm missing something or maybe this is really just about them improving it... but this makes it sound like Lithium Polymer batteries are brand-spanking-new.