Wednesday, October 12, 2016

Samsung is not the only one: other major fiascoes with exploding batteries – LA NACION (Argentina)

Apple, Dell, Toshiba, Lenovo, Sony, General Motors and Boeing were incidents similar to those of Note 7, which forced them to take extreme precautions

Elon Musk knows that the success of the new Model 3 of your company, the manufacturer of electric cars Tesla, depends on everything that can advance the design of the lithium-ion batteries that feed the electric car. It is estimated that somewhat less than half the production cost of a Tesla is attributed to this component. But it is not just a matter of improving the profit margin. The big challenge is to develop battery packs smaller and store more energy while maintaining reliability. If innova too fast, you run the risk of screwing up, as has happened to Samsung with phone Galaxy Note 7, that sometimes explodes.

Samsung Galaxy Note 7. Photo: Reuters

The same logic applies to laptops and all mobile phones. The consumer is looking for devices each time smaller, lighter and they can use for more time at each load. They also want screens brighter and more processing power to support multiple tasks. For that the cells in the batteries have to be compressed at the time that it increases the ability to retain more energy for a longer period of time.

But to reduce the size of the components, rises also the risk that the batteries fail, leave or suffer a short circuit. The extreme decision of Samsung to abandon the production of the Galaxy Note 7 is the most obvious example of what happens when one takes the density of the batteries at the end and breaks that balance. This is not the first time that the manufacturers are forced to take a step back and take more precautions in the development of batteries.

Portable explosives

The lithium-ion batteries are ubiquitous in portable computers. Their manufacturers have a decade trying to fine-tune the chemical reaction that takes place in the interior of the notebook when it is put in place. Looking, even, a safer alternative to contain the risks. The det has its origin in a battery pack manufactured by Sony that forced Apple, Dell, Toshiba and Lenovo, to withdraw from the market in the summer of 2006, several million devices, because of the fear that the computers will end up exploding while the users ‘ hands were on the keyboard.

The Volt catches on fire

The incident of the batteries that catch on fire can cause damage to the reputation of a company as established as Samsung, at a key moment in the competition with Apple and Google. Something similar happened to General Motors when it tried to introduce its electric car Chevy Volt. The greater charge capacity of lithium-ion batteries raises the risk of fire in cases of accident, despite the multitude of precautions taken.

A Chevrolet Volt. Photo: File

The first problems emerged in may 2011, nothing more come on the market. The manufacturer of Detroit was forced to suspend production after a few months while rediseñaba the component to ensure the safety of drivers. The incident marked the entire industry.

Dreamliner remains on the ground

The case potentially more severe registered to date with the lithium-ion battery-starred Boeing at the beginning of 2013 that forced the agencies of civil aviation around the world to leave on earth the brand new B787 Dreamliner. A short circuit in the electrical system of the new model caused a fire in the cargo hold of an airplane operated by Japan Airlines, which was followed by an incident that led to the emergency landing of another aircraft of All Nippon Airways.

The battery is a key component in the configuration of the aircraft, because it allows you to rely less on hydraulic and pneumatic systems. Boeing had to offer a new system design, more safe, to be able to resume the service after three months.

A Boeing 787 Dreamliner.

Skateboards which stack smoke

The hunter hoverboard promised to become the regulated star last Christmas. But the low quality of the batteries that equipped some models of the skateboard power caused them to explode suddenly and set fire.

The large commercial chains in the united States they were removed from their shelves and warehouses, while Amazon and other electronic stores suspended sales as a precaution. The fear of burn suddenly took to the airlines prohibit that will embark on its planes for security.

skateboards type hunter hoverboard were prohibited by their batteries. Photo: Courtesy of Swagway

Restrictions

The increasing capacity that have the lithium-ion batteries accumulate energy is causing, in fact, that the airlines are paying special attention to these components and by imposing more and more restrictions for the use of electronic devices on flights. As a result, the agency of the civil aviation of the United Nations prohibits from April 1, transport and charging of these batteries in the holds of passenger aircraft, for its instability. The FAA -u.s. agency – issued a warning alerting you of the damage that fire can cause in the cabin.

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