The Potential Dangers Lurking Beneath Li-ion Batteries

8 months ago

In our modern world, our love affair with gadgets is undeniable. From sleek smartphones to cutting-edge headphones, we eagerly embrace the latest technological wonders. However, amid the excitement of acquiring these devices, we often overlook the potential risks they can pose. This article delves into the alarming issue of lithium battery explosions, examining real-life incidents that serve as cautionary tales.

On February 8th, 2018, Jason Colon took his AirPods and decided to begin his workout when he noticed that one of the AirPods became extremely hot, and soon stopped working. He started to smell the acrid smell of burning and decided to remove the AirPods. When he did, he saw it smoking and when he went to check on a gym staff to have a look at it, the Airpod exploded, cracking the case. What would have happened if it had exploded in the ear of Jason?

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Another similar one was that of Zheng Tang, a 23-year-old man in China whose AirPods exploded while he was making a call with it. The explosion ruptured the skin of his right ear canal, as well as swelling and bleeding. Well, while he was treated, he suffered a little bit of hearing loss.

But it's not just AirPods that have the potential to turn into ticking time bombs. Samsung users vividly recall the infamous Samsung Galaxy Note 7 debacle. Reports of burns, fires, and extensive damage led to a class-action lawsuit against the company, prompting a massive product recall. The root cause of these fires was traced back to a battery short-circuit resulting from insufficient space within the battery's heat-sealed pouch. Moreover, some batteries supplied by Amperes Technology Limited lacked vital insulation tapes that could have mitigated the risk.

From phones to AirPods, and even Laptops, Lithium batteries can explode causing a lot of damage to our properties and even our bodies. This doesn't leave electric vehicles and electric bikes too. So why do Lithium batteries explode?

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We can start from 1780 when the first battery was created by Alessandro Volta whose skepticism of Luigi Galvani's theory of animal electricity from his frog experiment, led him to propose that the contact of two different metals can generate an electrical current. He was able to find out that racks of silver and zinc wrapped in cloth and soaked in salt water would transmit an electric current when a wire is placed at both ends. All batteries have an Anode which is the negative side and a Cathode which is the positive side, as well as a semi-permeable barrier electrolyte in each side. When they get submerged in the electrolyte, they release electrons which involves the movement of negatively charged electrons to positive and positively charged electrons to negative.

In the past, Nickel Metal hydride batteries were the only type of rechargeable batteries but then lithium ion batteries are better than they are. Notably, there is a wide variety of battery types, each differing in materials used for their construction, including the anode, cathode, and electrolytes. These variables determine a battery's longevity, power output, voltage, and rechargeability. Among these options, lithium-ion batteries stand out as the newest and most promising, with rapid charging capabilities. However, they have their drawbacks, including a relatively short shelf life of approximately three years, regardless of use, and sensitivity to high temperatures, which can lead to discharging and degradation.

For explosion, the cathode in Li-ion battery contains oxygen, and the battery releases heat but then, the vast majority of Li-ion batteries are done to fit into small places leaving the battery component to be very fragile, and they can explode

Our affection for gadgets and the convenience they bring is undeniable. However, it is crucial to remain aware of the potential dangers lurking beneath their sleek exteriors. Lithium battery explosions are a genuine concern, and understanding their origins and risks is essential for both consumer safety and the future development of technology.