Lithium polymer batteries likely replacement for dangerous lithium ion in laptops

Nine years ago, the lithium polymer battery has been hyped for laptops, but ultimately discarded in favor of cheaper energy and more dense lithium ion, lithium polymer but now the "gap" can be the source of their return.

Lithium is a volatile material, and when it is densely packed into cells as it is of lithium ion batteries, an internal short can cause a chain reaction and result in a fire. Although Sony Electronics touted the energy density and subsequent energy capacity of lithium ion batteries, in the past, the company President Stan Glasgow said lithium polymer batteries would "probably" replace their counterparts ion more dangerous. The Sony is now working with Dell, Toshiba, Apple Computer, Lenovo and others to bring back millions of lithium ion batteries, which have supplied with their notebooks during the past two years.

Lithium polymer batteries are safer because lithium is contained in a polymer gel, instead of cells, which means that they are less energy dense, but not likely to catch fire for a short. Also, lithium polymer has always had its fans, because the gel can be easily mounted on short empty spaces in a notebook case. Unfortunately, the battery is not known for its long life. When Mitsubishi lithium polymer batteries used in its Pedion notebook in 1997, was a commercial failure, despite the price $ 6000 and mechanical issues probably contributed to the fall of the computer.

Some companies are determined to make more secure their laptops, completely removing lithium. MTI Micro Fuel Cells and other companies are hoping that their fuel cells - methanol that pass through a membrane, in order to obtain electricity - are the next laptop battery, while Zinc Matrix Power and PowerGenix are moving to zinc-based Other batteries for notebooks and devices. Glasgow said that these technologies are still a little on the way. Zinc Matrix Power said it expects to begin shipment of zinc-based batteries next year.