From time to time, we hear about a battery exploding in a smartphone or tablet, even catching fire. It seems to happen for no reason, and is really obscure. We can’t even point to one type of device or battery that is susceptible, aside from knock-off batteries.
Samsung is trying to change that with new battery technology. They are developing a flexible battery, which uses solid-electrolyte technology rather than the liquid-electrolyte we’re currently using. The benefit is a more secure transfer of lithium, which can help with the dangerous situations we see happening.
The difference has to do with metal deposits that can naturally form with liquid electrolytes, causing leakage and short circuits. Those are what cause the fires and explosions, and are exactly what the new technology won’t do. By simply eliminating how batteries transfer juice from one end to another, Samsung hopes to put an end to phones blowing up without reason.
Unfortunately, the technology isn’t ready for prime time yet. It’s a little peace of mind, but we’d also be interested in coupling this with battery technology that can get modern devices through a full day without the need to charge it. With larger screens and more demanding processors, the last frontier is battery life — and it doesn’t even seem to have been explored for the consumer yet.
VIA: Android Authority
