Lithium-ion batteries are light, rechargeable, and can be sized to fit nearly any device. Without them, it would be impossible to carry around the smartphones we rely on. Lithium batteries power a variety of devices besides our phones, including laptops, electric cars, and e-cigarettes (also known as vape pens).
Inside every lithium battery is a positively and negatively charged electrode separated by a thin sheet of plastic. When the battery is charging, the lithium ions are pushed from the positive electrode through the plastic separator into the negative electrode. The opposite happens when it’s not charging, powering your device until the saved electricity runs out. Normally, the electricity is released in a trickle over several hours. Unfortunately, sometimes the plastic separator between the electrodes fails, allowing them to touch and start to…
What Causes Lithium Batteries to Explode?
