Why Are Exploding Laptops Still a Concern?

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the ongoing concerns regarding exploding laptops, specifically highlighted by a recent incident involving a Dell notebook at a conference in Osaka, Japan. Dell confirmed the incident but did not disclose the specific model involved. The conversation touches on the risks associated with high-capacity batteries in increasingly compact devices, referencing a previous incident where a cellphone battery explosion caused severe injuries. This underscores the critical need for safety measures in battery technology.

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  • Knowledge of thermal runaway phenomena in batteries
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This discussion is beneficial for electronics engineers, safety compliance professionals, and consumers interested in the safety and reliability of portable electronic devices.

Rach3
http://www.theinquirer.net/default.aspx?article=32550

confirmed by Dell:
http://www.cnn.com/2006/TECH/ptech/06/28/dell.laptop.reut/index.html
The report of an exploding laptop at a conference in Osaka, Japan, accompanied by digital photos, was first published on technology industry news Web site The Inquirer last week.
...
"We have captured the notebook and have begun investigating the event," Dell spokeswoman Anne Camden said, confirming the computer was made by Dell but declining to specify the model.

A nice illustration of a redox reaction. :rolleyes:
 
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"Dude, you're getting a Dell!"
 
They expect so much power out of batteries these days and they keep getting smaller and smaller...I remember a couple months ago some girl got her fingers partially blown off when a cellphone battery exploded. Maybe that's why they are called notebooks now instead of laptops?