Lithium Ion in the Spotlight

Sure, Lithium-based batteries are probably the next best thing to laptop users since colored LCDs, They’re lightweight, packs more charge per unit of weight, and had none of the memory problems associated with the older Nickel-based batteries, not to mention they’re more environmentally-friendly than Ni-Cad and Ni-MH.

However, the recent spate of overheating battery cells, resulting to exploding laptops has led manufacturers and industry analysts to look into the viability of Lithium Ion as a source of portable power in the long run. Apple and Dell have recently recalled millions of batteries suspected of having high risks of overheating and explosion.

BusinessWeek reports that Lithium Ion is on the spotlight because of these volatility issues.

Their foundation is the lithium ion. Lightweight, highly reactive and tiny, the metal can generate high voltage while taking up little space, making it ideal for use in energy-sucking portable electronics. Its chemical makeup also makes it easy to recharge.

But the batteries are also delicate. Manufacturing contamination caused the overheating that prompted the recall of nearly 6 million Sony Corp.-made batteries in the past two weeks from Apple Computer Inc. and Dell Inc. laptops.

While news of overheating equipment would probably not make laptop users shun Lithium Ion batteries altogether, this signals that with anything that concerns power, electricity and chemistry, there will always be risks. In this case, it pays to take heed of safety precautions when handling equipment. Of course, on the manufacturers’ part, they should be more responsible, especially when millions of users might be in danger.

As for me, I still feel safe using my laptop on my lap.

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