South Korean researchers devise a safer lithium ion battery
By Donald Melanson 
posted November 17th 2009 2:07PM
posted November 17th 2009 2:07PM
While some researchers are focused on making batteries that are both safer and longer-lasting, it seems like the folks at the Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute (or KAERI) are simply concerned with making 'em really, really safe. To that end, they've now announced that they've managed to develop a new type of "separator" that is said to be far more resistant to heat and impact than traditional polyethylene separators. Made from a mix of polyethylene, nano-alumina and flourine-based resin that has been subjected to radiation, the new separator can supposedly hold up to temperatures of 150 degrees Celsius and "considerable outside impact," and it can apparently be applied to all sorts of lithium-ion batteries -- including everything from phones to laptops to electric cars. Of course, there's no word as to when we might actually see the new and improved batteries, but KAERI has apparently already applied for the necessary patents for the new technique.
Yay?
yay!
Now lets send all of our old one's to the North Koreans.
And in the mean time North Korea is coming up with more destructive things
I see what you did there, but I'm turning my attention to the mideast to avoid conflict c:
That looks like my laptop...
and is making it creepy.
Hopefully Apple will take note for their customer's sake.
Yup because Apple is the only company putting these in their notebooks.
marmot, I think you missed what he was referring to. http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/11/macbook-pro-battery-flies-off-the-handle-busts-wide-open/
Thank you N900 for clearing that up for Marmot as this was the most recent news story.
I'm guessing that Marmot was probably out (Starbucks in hand) protesting Wal-Mart selling the iPhone the day that story was posted. I mean, we all know he hates Wal-Mart shoppers as he so eloquently wrote November 11, "This is especially validated when the trailer trash magnet of a store aka Wal-Mart starts trying to push them in sales with a gift card you can use to patch up that flat tire in your trailer or maybe get some new hair dye for your mullet. You know your device is a piece of crap when Wal-Mart has a "deal" on it." (http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/11/walmart-offering-100-gift-card-with-any-blackberry-purchase-bu/)
For the record I know that plenty of portable batteries have had exploding issues in the past. Sony, in particular, was to blame for quite a few.
Wow, great detective work rickjames! Are you proud of yourself now?
Looks like marmot is snob. Too bad everyone in the world can't be wealthy,beautiful and perfect.
Yes... Yes he is
Wasn't detective work. It was my Super Freak-y memory. I mean I had to return the favor after you *tried* to correct me.
@marmot_egg - "Yup because Apple is the only company putting these in their notebooks."
No, Apple is just the only one putting them in laptops and then charging an outrageous price premium for them. That being the case why shouldn't they be using superior quality components to everyone else...If they're not why pay the ridiculous f'n Apple Tax? Blind loyalty???
@rickjames
ouch, you *denied* me a correction on engadget forum...now I am proud of your efforts today
@Wm
there are a few other components that factor into a laptop than the li-ion battery. does apple overcharge for what you get? sure, but this can be argued both ways by some people who will say that a notebook is more than just a tool and say that form is just as important as function and then you have the brute force guys who only look at specs when judging much like car buyers who just look at the power of the engine.
I find it funny how most nuclear research organizations have made discoveries with effects far outside of the nuclear field, yet I don't know of a single "green" energy institute that has the same record.
Simple. 'Nuclear' (see note 1) research institutes have been around since the end of WWII, the 'green' think tanks and research labs are much more recent.
Note 1: The Oakridge Nuclear Labs, Lawrence Livermore, Sandia, etc., from Day One have been involved in non-nuclear research.
Radiation makes things better!
Yeah, thats what I told that guy who wanted to be spiderman for halloween, though it didn't work out so well.
where is the adventure in that?
Wait a second... I am hoping that this new coating is super cheap because we have been using Lithium batteries in downhole tools for oil well drilling for years and they withstand temperatures up to 180C and a hell of a lot more shocks than a laptop ever will. Plus they explode from time to time anyway... safety? Haha!
What are you all "yay"ing about? They explain the ridiculous cost of manufacturing the new separating layer right in the summary on Engadget! There will have to be several steps of simplification -- finding a manufacturing technique that is shorter and requires fewer exotic materials -- before this becomes a market-ready product; either that or they'll have to devise a chemically similar material using simpler steps...
It draws a very good comparison to r&d for pharmaceuticals.
So let's see...
S. Korea is a leading source of technical innovation, while N. Korea continues to build nuclear weapons, starve it's people and jail political and religious dissidents.
Ain't socialism great?!
There are no Socialist countries.
What does socialism have to do with two Koreas? Do you even know what socialism is?
poor laptop and files..
Don't be tricked by Korean.
They are just liar and larcenist.
They have no technology.
Yes. South Koreans are still riding bicycles and using LG/Samsung soup cans connected with strings to communicate with each other.
/sarcasm.
Let's not forget that the bicycles are made by Hyundai and Kia ... although Kia did start out with making bicycles ...