Why Are Smartphone Batteries Combusting?

TL;DR

Samsung is recalling Galaxy Note7 smartphones due to a battery-related manufacturing problem that causes overheating and potentially dangerous situations.

Transcript

It’s that time of year again: people are upgrading their smartphones to the newest, flashiest model. But some customers are getting a little too much bang for their buck. At least 90 people who bought Samsung’s Galaxy Note7 smartphone have reported that the phones are overheating, causing burns, or even catching on fire. Both Samsung and the US gov... Read More

Key Insights

• 😀 Samsung is facing a major issue with the Galaxy Note7 smartphones overheating and posing a safety risk.
• 🥵 The problem is likely due to a manufacturing error that put too much pressure on the battery, causing a potential short circuit and excess heat.
• 😑 Lithium-ion batteries, commonly used in cell phones, can store a significant amount of energy but can become dangerous if not designed or installed properly.
• 🎨 The recall of the Galaxy Note7s highlights the importance of proper battery design and manufacturing processes.
• 💦 Tardigrades, also known as water bears, are microscopic, resilient creatures that can survive extreme environments and have unique genes and proteins that protect them.
• 🤙 Researchers have found a tardigrade protein called Damage suppressor (Dsup) that can protect human DNA from radiation damage.
• 🥺 Understanding the genes and proteins that make tardigrades resilient could potentially lead to new ways of protecting human cells from harsh environments.

Questions & Answers

Q: Why are Samsung Galaxy Note7 smartphones being recalled?

Samsung is recalling the Galaxy Note7 smartphones because of reports that the phones are overheating, causing burns or catching on fire. This has been determined to be due to a battery-related manufacturing problem.

Q: What causes lithium-ion batteries to catch fire or explode?

Lithium-ion batteries can catch fire or explode if they are overcharged or if the separator between the electrodes gets damaged. In such cases, a short circuit can occur, leading to a buildup of heat and thermal runaway.

Q: How can the Galaxy Note7 battery issue be fixed?

The only way to fix the battery issue is to swap your Galaxy Note7 phone for a new one that does not have the manufacturing defect. This is the reason for the recall.

Q: Are there any dangers associated with other devices that use lithium-ion batteries?

There is a small chance that any device with a poorly designed or installed lithium-ion battery can experience issues, such as overheating, fires, or explosions. This is why incidents like hoverboards combusting have been reported.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Galaxy Note7 smartphones are overheating and causing burns or catching on fire, leading to a recall by Samsung and the US government.

• The issue is likely due to a manufacturing error that caused too much pressure on the battery, resulting in a short circuit and excess heat.

• Lithium-ion batteries, commonly used in cell phones, can store a lot of energy, but mishaps such as overcharging or damage to the separator can lead to thermal runaway and battery fires.