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Why Li-ion Batteries explode into flames

Lithium-ion batteries are rechargeable battery type, which work by exploiting the movement of lithium ions between the anode and cathode. Because of their low weight to power ratio, the lack of effect of memory and slow absorption of tax loss, they are currently the most popular type of rechargeable batteries available on the market. They are most often used to power portable electronics, but their applications may reach as far as the automotive and aerospace industries.


Li-ion batteries also have a bad habit of satiated in flames or explosion even if mishandled, which is not very fun when the equipment drive costs several thousand dollars. For two years, large companies such as Apple or Toshiba I felt the full impact of such anomalous behavior when they were forced to recall and replace the huge number of Li-ion batteries because of fire hazards.


But what defines Li-ion batteries to heat up to dangerous levels? To understand why, one must first know some basic concepts regarding the batteries. Typical batteries have two main terminals, the anode (positively charged) and cathode (negative charge). Electricity is stored inside them ELECTROCHEMICAL compounds that mix, to release free electrons, which are then collected in cathode and provide powered device in the form of electric current.


The flow of electrons is through an electronic device and then anode, thus forming a loop. Batteries are classified according to type of ELECTROCHEMICAL used to produce it, in the case of Li-ion battery that is fluid containing lithium compound, which is also extremely flammable. In addition, during the manufacturing process some metal fragments have also been created within ELECTROCHEMICAL liquid and although they may not be completely eliminated, their size and number may be limited during the proceedings.


In the anode and electronic battery regions are isolated from each other with a separator, which can be easily punctured by metal fragments, if the battery experiences increase in temperature. When this happens brief compound has been found between the anode and cathode, leading to further increases in temperature.


Batteries are at risk of replete of melting or flames. Furthermore, since the container holding the ELECTROCHEMICAL is completely sealed from the average, the excessive rise in temperature may cause it to give way under pressure and explode.

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Power becoming a major issue as energy costs rise

Residents of Maryland were recently challenged by their governor to cut their energy consumption by 15% over the next eight years as he pledged to reduce the use of energy by government offices and to increase the energy efficiency of government buildings. This and other energy conservation projects (a quick Google search revealed similar calls in several states) are poised to become large movements, particularly as energy costs balloon as a result of rising oil prices.

State residents challenged on energy savings (Baltimore Sun)

IT shops will be forced to respond to mounting energy costs. Dell has already announced an initiative to cut energy consumption by its servers by 42% while delivering the same or higher performance. Gartner has posited that nine to fifteen percent of most businesses’ energy costs are related to IT, the vast majority from desktop PCs, and suggests “more-aggressive power management” for businesses. HP has also caught the conservation bug, planning to reduce energy usage by 15% over the next three years by using advanced techniques for powering and cooling data centers.

Dell-Emerson Partner to Reduce Power Consumption in Customers’ Data Centers by 42 Percent (WebWire)

Switch off your PCs to cut costs and help the environment (Moneyweb)

Averting the IT Energy Crunch (BusinessWeek)

My organization has already started to reduce energy consumption by closing on Fridays during the summer to save on cooling costs during the hottest months of the year. We have also been asked to look into power management options to reduce PC power consumption.

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