Readers react to rechargeable batteries and more

Safety first

Three scientists gained the 2019 Nobel Prize in chemistry for creating lithium-ion batteries, Maria Temming and Jonathan Lambert reported in “The development of the lithium-ion battery has won the chemistry Nobel Prize” (SN: 11/9/19, p. 12). Because the rechargeable batteries have been first created in the 1970s, they've develop into safer and cheaper.

“I really like my units, nevertheless it’s not but a brave new world for tech,” reader Doug Pruner wrote. Victims of lithium-ion battery explosions would in all probability emphasize that “safer” batteries aren't necessarily “protected,” Pruner famous. “Advertising pressures, not tech, drive the push for extra energy and concurrent smaller measurement. Typically, Kaboom!” he wrote.

Temming agrees that lithium-ion batteries aren’t totally protected. The batteries can explode when warmth from a brief circuit ignites their extremely flammable liquid electrolyte. Exploding smartphones, wi-fi headphones and hoverboards have made headlines.

Amanda Morris, a chemist at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, informed Temming that researchers are creating new supplies to incorporate into lithium-ion batteries that don’t short-circuit or combust as easily. “Strong gel electrolytes are supposedly extra strong than traditional liquid,” Temming says.

Meanwhile, some scientists are determining ways to add flame retardants to the liquid electrolyte in lithium-ion batteries. However mixing in flame retardants makes the batteries much less efficient. To unravel this drawback, one group developed microscopic plastic-coated fibers that include a flame retardant. If a battery overheats, the fibers’ plastic shells melt and release the flame retardant into the liquid (SN: 2/18/17, p. 19).

Correction

In “How 2019’s space missions explored distant worlds” (SN: 12/21/19 & 1/four/20, p. 32), the NASA InSight mission on Mars is described as having a rover. InSight truly has a stationary lander.

Gamma Light | Modern Science News
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