Latest news with #lithiumionbatteries
Khaleej Times
4 days ago
- Khaleej Times
New Emirates rule: Power banks can catch fire, cause explosions, say UAE experts
Power banks can pose serious safety risks on flights, including the potential to emit toxic smoke, ignite flames, or even trigger major explosions, safety experts have warned. Earlier on Friday, Emirates Airlines announced a ban on the use of power banks during all its flights, effective from October 1. 'Power banks indeed pose a significant fire hazard because they contain lithium-ion batteries, which have a high energy density,' said Dana Kamal, Director, International Business Development, MENA at NFPA. 'When exposed to physical or thermal stress, they can overheat, catch fire or even explode. In the confined and controlled environment of an aircraft, where factors such as cabin pressure, temperature fluctuations, and limited oxygen can impact battery performance, these devices can pose a significant fire safety risk.' According to David C., General Manager at Emirates Safety Laboratory, power banks contain lithium-ion batteries, which could cause the device to overheat when used. In a statement, Emirates said that customers will be permitted to carry one power bank onboard with specific conditions, but they may not be used while in the aircraft cabin—neither to charge devices nor to be charged themselves using the aircraft's power source. For several months now, airlines across the world have been updating their rules regarding lithium batteries, after an increase in the incidence of accidents. A Reuters report revealed that in 2024, the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) recorded an average of three incidents every two weeks involving overheating lithium batteries on planes worldwide — a sharp rise compared to just under one incident per week in 2018. Dangers Pilot and aviation expert Hans-Georg Rabacher explained that a power bank can overheat due to direct sunlight, poor ventilation, overcharging, or physical damage, and this can lead to a dangerous reaction called thermal runaway. 'This usually starts in one battery cell, which overheats and triggers a chain reaction. The result can be an explosion, toxic gas release, and open flames with temperatures over 1,000°C,' he said. Dana said that this was one of the 'key reasons' why airlines banned power banks from checked-in luggage. 'If a power bank begins to overheat, passengers or crew in the cabin can quickly notice signs such as smoke, heat, or unusual odours coming from the device, and can immediately notify the crew,' he said. 'Early detection allows rapid intervention from the cabin crew members, who are usually well-trained and equipped to handle such incidents, thereby minimising risks and limiting potential damage.' Low-quality items David added that some issues stem from low-quality power banks manufactured in various countries worldwide. 'Here in the UAE, we have excellent safety standards,' he said. 'However, some very low-quality power banks are manufactured in different geographies, and these could pose a significant danger during flights.' He states that these devices may look the same on the outside, but often lack the rigorous safety testing to ensure internal mechanisms prevent overheating or fire. 'This is why people need to invest in good quality power banks with international certifications, which will be indicated on their labels,' he said. David said that it was important for power bank users to ensure they are correctly stored when taking them on a plane. 'When they are stuffed in the overhead cabin or put in the seat pocket whilst charging devices, they could more likely overheat due to the lack of ventilation trapping the heat,' he said. Earlier this year, Air Busan became one of the first airlines to restrict power banks in overhead cabin bins after one of its planes caught fire; an incident thought to be caused by a power bank overheating. Experts added that physical damage, like banging a power bank, could cause the device to malfunction and overheat. 'I always stress the importance of a thorough visual inspection,' said Dana. 'Check for any visible damage, such as scratches or other signs of wear. Be alert for subtle warning signs such as unusual odours or chemical smells, as well as excessive heat. While it's normal for electronics to generate some heat during use, if a power bank feels unusually hot, it's a warning you should not ignore.' David said that technology is progressing quickly, allowing manufacturers to make a power bank without lithium ion batteries. Some are not producing power banks with nickel-metal hydride, alkaline batteries, and even capacitors.
ABC News
4 days ago
- General
- ABC News
Lithium battery fires so far in 2025 almost double those in entire 2020
The number of fires caused by exploding lithium-ion batteries so far this year is almost double the number of fires for the entire 2020 — and it's only August. Firefighters have attended 94 lithium-ion battery fires this year, an average of three a week, and almost double the 49 blazes for the whole of 2020. The Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) said almost a third of the fires in WA involved batteries which ignited when they were not charging. The fires were caused by household items like laptops, power banks, and power tools, along with e-rideables which sparked 19 blazes. The latest incident was on Friday morning at a commercial premises in Bentley, with minor damage to the building believed to have been caused by an e-rideable left on charge. DFES said the batteries could enter a dangerous state described as a 'thermal runway', which caused them to overheat, explode or emit toxic gas. Poor-quality, damaged or over-charged products were known to cause battery failure. DFES Commissioner Darren Klemm said people needed to be cautious with their devices, regardless of how common or small they were. 'Be careful where you store your lithium-ion battery products and ensure they're charged on a hard surface, away from flammable items such as beds, carpet or couches,' he said. 'I also urge people to install and check their smoke alarms, particularly in garages — we see a lot of fires starting in carports as people often store their power tools and other devices there.' Emergency Services Minister Paul Papalia said devices containing lithium-ion batteries were an emerging risk. 'They're something so common now that people potentially don't see them as that danger they represent,' he said. Commissioner Klemm said vacuum cleaners were another risk. 'A lot of people I speak to don't realise in particular, with a battery-operated vacuum cleaner - that is not something that should be sort of stowed away in the laundry cupboard on charge,' he said. 'Hanging there all the time… that is a risk.' Mr Papalia said purchasing devices locally, which comply with the law, was the safest option. 'Everyone should seek to buy these bits of kit from reputable suppliers, if you're going to buy an e-scooter or any e-rideable — buy it from a reputable source here,' he said. Commissioner Klemm said batteries should be charged in open, ventilated areas and not left unattended. He urged people to regularly check for signs of physical damage or overheating and to take devices off charge before sleeping. People who want to get rid of batteries were advised to check the Recycle Right WA website for a safe disposal process.
Washington Post
31-07-2025
- Automotive
- Washington Post
The U.S. invented these technologies. Then China dominated them.
China calls them the 'new three' — electric vehicles, solar panels and lithium-ion batteries — a set of technologies to replace the country's previous export focus on furniture, clothing and household appliances. And those technologies have something in common: They were all invented in the United States. Since the early 2000s, a suite of government incentives and policies has swept China to the forefront of the market for EVs, solar panels and batteries. But most of the world's clean technologies were initially invented in the U.S. In an alternate reality, the U.S. could have become the world's leader.
Fox News
30-07-2025
- Science
- Fox News
New tech recovers 92% of EV battery metals
As demand for clean energy grows, so does the need for smarter storage solutions. Lithium-ion batteries are leading the charge, but they don't last forever. That creates a big problem: what do we do with all the dead batteries? Thanks to a new method developed by researchers at Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI), we may finally have an answer. This scalable and eco-friendly recycling technique transforms old batteries back into high-performing, next-gen components, with minimal environmental impact. Let's break down how this innovation works and why it matters for a sustainable energy future. Sign up for my FREE CyberGuy ReportGet my best tech tips, urgent security alerts, and exclusive deals delivered straight to your inbox. Plus, you'll get instant access to my Ultimate Scam Survival Guide - free when you join my From your phone to electric vehicles and even power grids, lithium-ion batteries are everywhere. They offer unmatched energy density and can scale to meet large infrastructure demands. However, there's a catch. Even with optimal use, these batteries wear out after a few thousand charge cycles. When they die, they leave behind components such as nickel, cobalt, and manganese, materials that are expensive and environmentally damaging to mine. Without a solid plan for recycling, the clean energy revolution could create a very dirty problem. Standard recycling methods aren't quite up to the task. They're energy-intensive, generate significant emissions, and often fail to recover materials in usable form. This means many recycled batteries can't be turned into new, high-performing ones. As a result, manufacturers continue to mine for raw materials, causing further environmental harm. That's why scientists have been searching for a better way to close the loop. Led by Professor Yan Wang, the WPI team developed a method that uses hydrometallurgy to extract critical metals from spent Ni-lean cathodes, then upcycles them into Ni-rich 83Ni cathode materials, which are used in next-generation batteries. Here's what makes it revolutionary: While still in research, this method is on a fast track to real-world deployment. Wang is also a co-founder of Ascend Elements, a company already commercializing battery recycling, so this tech may hit manufacturing floors sooner than you think. Battery waste is piling up, and mining for fresh materials isn't sustainable. Wang's team has proven that high-performance batteries can be made from recycled components at scale. This reduces our dependence on destructive mining operations, lowers emissions, and makes battery manufacturing more resilient to global supply shocks. Even better? These recycled batteries perform just as well as new ones. Unlike traditional methods that recover raw metals but degrade performance, this upcycling process regenerates high-value cathodes with next-gen chemistry, turning old batteries into components even better aligned with today's EV and storage systems. If you rely on a smartphone, drive an EV, or use a laptop daily, this research affects you. The push toward clean energy is not just about wind turbines and solar panels. It's about making the entire system, including batteries, more sustainable. Right now, most of us toss old devices without thinking about where the battery ends up. But that battery contains valuable metals, metals that are expensive to mine and harmful to extract. This new method from WPI means future batteries in your devices could be made from sustainably recycled materials, without sacrificing performance. That helps keep costs down, reduces toxic waste, and shrinks your personal carbon footprint. These high-performance recycled batteries could soon power electric vehicles, solar-powered homes, and even the devices in your pocket, bringing sustainability directly into your life. Plus, as governments and companies invest in battery-powered everything, innovations like this help ensure there are enough materials to go around, without ripping more resources out of the ground. This innovation could become a cornerstone of the circular battery economy, where old batteries fuel new technology without harming the planet. WPI's approach doesn't just tackle waste. It redefines how we think about energy storage in a world that urgently needs sustainable solutions. Would you trust a car or device powered by recycled battery components, or are you still holding out for "new" to mean "better"? Let us know by writing us at Sign up for my FREE CyberGuy ReportGet my best tech tips, urgent security alerts, and exclusive deals delivered straight to your inbox. Plus, you'll get instant access to my Ultimate Scam Survival Guide - free when you join my Copyright 2025 All rights reserved.
Auto Blog
27-07-2025
- Automotive
- Auto Blog
2008 Tesla Roadster For Sale With Just 1,821 Miles
By signing up I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy . You may unsubscribe from email communication at anytime. View post: Japanese Car Prices Are About to Go Up in the U.S. The Tesla Roadster is a vastly different machine from today's Teslas There's a lot that can be said about Tesla as a company today, but the Tesla Roadster is largely an exception to those criticisms. Based on a Lotus Elise chassis, the automaker's first car was both sleek and impressive, and this 2008 example on Exotic Car Trader with 1,821 miles is a relatively rare sighting of a Tesla Roadster on the open market. 0:01 / 0:09 2024 Kia EV6 GT-Line review: Is this the EV that will convert you? Watch More The Roadster was an impressive machine when it was released, being the first highway-legal production car to use lithium-ion batteries, with a 53 kWh pack onboard. Charging time varies, but if one uses a 240 V charger on a 90 A circuit breaker, Tesla claimed a recharging rate of 56 miles added per hour. The electric motor produces 248 hp and 200 lb-ft of torque, which are sent to the rear wheels through a single-speed transmission. Tesla quoted a 0-60 mph time of around four seconds, which is nothing to scoff at, especially in 2008. Regenerative braking is present, of course, and the Roadster sports both front and rear independent suspension. The EPA gave it a 244-mile range, which isn't great by today's standards but was a good number back then. 2008 Tesla Roadster — Source: Exotic Car Trader The Roadster had some tricks up its sleeve Uniquely, the body panels are all carbon fiber, keeping the weight down for both performance and range-related reasons. The NHTSA also granted the Roadster a waiver from the advantage two-stage airbag rule, allowing Tesla to use standard airbags instead. While that may seem unheard of in the modern world, similar waivers are given to small-volume automakers like Lotus, Ferrari, and Bugatti. The interior is a relatively sparse, but still attractive, and frankly, a massive step-up from modern Tesla interiors. The tan leather seats match the door panel inserts, while the center console houses a 'gear' shifter, controls for the HVAC system, and two buttons for the seat heaters. Above that is a JVC head unit complete with built-in navigation. The cluster is relatively standard, other than the fact that it still has an RPM gauge that goes up to 13,000 RPM. I think more EVs should have rev counters, despite their comparatively useless nature. While modern Teslas are a common sight on today's roads, only 2,450 Roadsters were built in four years, making this one that much more desirable. Tesla sold Roadsters directly to customers online, in 13 showrooms, and over the phone in North America and Europe. 2008 Tesla Roadster 2008 Tesla Roadster Autoblog Newsletter Autoblog brings you car news; expert reviews and exciting pictures and video. Research and compare vehicles, too. Sign up or sign in with Google Facebook Microsoft Apple By signing up I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy . You may unsubscribe from email communication at anytime. Final thoughts Tesla Roadsters aren't a common sight on the road or the second-hand market, so if you've been looking for one, this one on Exotic Car Trader is a must-have. Of course, with such credentials and only 1,821 miles on the odometer, the $225,000 asking price of this one is to be expected. Not only will you be driving one of the first mainstream electric sports cars, but you'll be driving one built on the back of an Elise. Is that something you can really put a price on? About the Author Gabriel Ionica View Profile
