They are everywhere: in your pocket, in your car, in your hands,
in your lap and even "in your face." Lithium-ion
batteries are in nearly every product that has become a staple of
modern life, such as smartphones, tablets/notebook computers,
digital cameras and headphones. They are in our transportation
systems – trains, planes and automobiles. They are involved
in our hobbies and recreation, including radio-controlled vehicles,
hoverboards and e-bikes. They also show up in some of our vices,
such as vaping and smoking e-cigarettes. Though we typically view
the batteries and the products they power as innocuous, if
something goes wrong it can go catastrophically wrong.
Lithium-ion batteries were developed to meet the requirements
that these products be small, lightweight and long-lasting. We
don't want to be tethered to a cord, constantly needing to
charge. The batteries are designed to be very energy dense in a
small form, which requires the use of a flammable
