I know we have all read about the battery fires and overheating lithium-ion batteries. We see it on the news, read it in newspapers, and find it all over the internet.

Altairnano has been working on getting rid of this problem. Working with nanotechnology, they have developed a new anode material using nanostructured lithium titanate spinel oxide. This material does not react with the electrolytes that are used on most lithium ion systems. It also has up to 100 times more surface area than normal graphite electrodes.

Apparently Altairnano have put these batteries through a pretty harsh set of torture tests even to the point of testing the batteries at 464° F (240° C) more than 212° F (100° C) hotter than graphite-based batteries explode. Doing the puncture, crush, drop and other tests that can cause some lithium batteries to start smoking or explode apparently has not caused any malfunctions.

Now comparatively lithium battery malfunctions are rare, there has been quite the build-up of fear towards these devices. Will this be the first step towards removing that fear from our collective conscience? I know that I am not overly concerned in my batteries blowing up on me; however I know there are several people that are terrified of the prospect. Hopefully this will assuage their fear and we can take a sigh of relief until we discover the next thing that has the potential to harm us.

(Maybe chocolate?? {gasp!!})

Written By
  Ken

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