X-rays reveal the bulge of gas in the phone's battery

The X-ray image shows the telephone battery bulging and preparing to explode due to the accumulation of gas masses like a bulging pillow inside.

Using high-energy X-ray computer tomography technology to examine the process in lithium-ion batteries, Toby Bond and colleagues at the Canadian Light Source physics research found the culprit This makes the battery easy to explode, according to New Sciencetist.

According to Bond, lithium-ion batteries often contain spiral-shaped electrodes that hold the most electricity. However, multi-layered design can be dangerous if the gas forms inside.

Image inside a lithium-ion battery when illuminated by X-rays. (Photo: Canadian Light Source)

The gas can accumulate if the battery is overheated or overcharged for long periods of time. Under these conditions, liquid components in the battery can evaporate and form gases. As a result, the outer shell of the battery bulges, resulting in a particularly resemblance to the pillow.

"The battery can bulge a little and continue to operate, bulge and shut down, or continue to produce gas, pulling an explosion or burning , " Bond said. The bulge shape is easily recognizable from the outside of the battery, but many users may not know the volume of the gas inside.

As the gas accumulates, the electrodes appear to be curved and separated. According to Bond, improvements in production could make the lithium-ion battery more durable. However, the team is not sure whether bulging appears on phones with recent fire or explosion.

Bond insists the best way to protect lithium-ion batteries is to avoid overheating . "Let's stop playing games for hours on the phone and let your tablet device rest instead of watching movies for 9 hours," Bond said.