Galaxy Note 7 explosion chaos inspires fire-extinguishing batteries
Flame-retardant chemical compound released when battery hits 150C
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.A team of researchers at Stanford University has created a lithium-ion battery designed to extinguish itself if it ever overheated and caught fire.
The battery contains flame retardant chemical compound triphenyl phosphate (TPP), which sits inside a shell within the electrolyte fluid. The shell melts at 150C (302F), releasing the TPP and thereby eliminating any risk of a full-blown fire.
In tests cited by the research, published in the journal Science Advances, the burning battery extinguished itself after 0.4 seconds.
Samsung inadvertently thrust the issue of lithium-ion battery safety into the public eye last year, after several models of its Galaxy Note 7 'phablet' inexplicably caught fire.
Lithium-ion batteries in electronic devices can short-circuit and catch alight if they charge up too quickly or a small manufacturing error goes unnoticed.
Both explanations have been offered up by theorists, but Samsung has not yet revealed the results of its own investigation into the matter.
The company is, however, set to offer a full official explanation at a news conference on 23 January.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments