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© GRAPHIC NEWS

© GRAPHIC NEWS

© GRAPHIC NEWS

Graphic shows how the new self-extinguishing battery works.
GN35011EN

TECH

Self-extinguishing battery

By Ninian Carter

January 17, 2017 - Scientists have developed a lithium-ion battery that contains a fire-extinguishing element which is released if the battery overheats.

A Samsung investigation into what caused some of its Galaxy Note7 smartphones to catch fire shortly after launch, has concluded that the battery was the main reason, according to a person familiar with the matter.

Third-party technology company, Instrumental, has performed a teardown of the handset and believes the fault lies with the separator layer lying between the cobalt and graphite anodes inside the li-ion battery. They suggest that sitting on the phone, or otherwise adding pressure to the battery, could cause the separator to fail and allow a short circuit to occur – leading to a “thermal runaway”.

The Samsung report is due to be published on Jan 23.

Sources
PUBLISHED: 17/01/2017; STORY: Graphic News
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