Battery swelling is a phenomenon most users of electronic devices probably have experienced or heard of. It happens when a battery actually swells outward, sometimes deforming or damaging a device that it is powering. Though it seems to be some form of nuisance or cosmetic issue, a swollen battery is a serious problem and can cause serious safety risks. Understanding why this happens and how to address the problems related to it can help avoid hazards and increase the life span of the devices.
What Causes Battery Swelling?
1. Chemical Reactions in Lithium-Ion Batteries
Most modern devices these days use lithium-ion (Li-ion) or lithium-polymer (LiPo) due to their high energy density and long life span. However, these batteries are not without problems, and swelling is a common symptom of chemical reactions gone bad.
Lithium-ion batteries work on the principle that lithium ions move from an anode to a cathode, during the charging and discharge cycle. Chemical reactions occurring inside the battery over time or under improper conditions will produce gases, such as carbon dioxide (CO₂) and oxygen (O₂). These gases build up within the battery, causing it to expand.
2. Overcharging
Overcharge: A device is left on after the battery has been fully charged. While most devices today have systems that prevent overcharging from taking place, there might be times when the devices fail to protect against overcharging. This causes pressure and heat inside the cells, which accelerates gases formation and swelling of the battery.
3. Deep Discharging
Also, allowing a battery to be drained to 0% can cause various issues. Cycling a battery repeatedly to 0% can degrade its chemistry, causing gases to build up and swell in the long run.
4. Heat Exposure
Overheating is one of the main causes of swelling in batteries. This is because high temperatures enhance chemical reactions within the battery, which results in the generation of gases. Whether this heat source comes from the outside (an extremely hot environment) or from inside, resulting from overstressing through long-term heavy use, the heat eventually causes swelling.
5. Manufacturing Defects
Poor manufacturing processes render the batteries vulnerable to swelling. defects such as contamination in electrolytes, weak separators, or poor sealing can compromise the integrity of the battery, leading to the formation of gas and swelling, among other things.
6. Old Age
Batteries always tend to degrade over time, losing their capacity to hold a charge. With age, the chances of an internal chemical breakdown keep rising. So older batteries have a higher tendency of swelling.
Identifying a Swollen Battery
Knowing how a swollen battery can be identified early can help avoid hazardous situations.
These are the key indicators:
Physical Bulging:
The most obvious sign is that the battery has physically swollen or bulged. If the back cover of your phone or the bottom of your laptop appears lifted, chances are high that a swollen battery is the cause.
Device Malfunction:
The enlarged battery causes the improper functioning of the device. It could result in a loss of response or sudden shutdowns, or even low performance from the battery.
Hot Surface:
If a device is too hot to touch during ordinary usage, there could be an issue with the battery inside.
Difficulty in Closing the Device:
When components such as covers or screws no longer fit properly, it could be a result of swelling from inside the battery.
Chemical Smell or Leakage:
In the extreme, a swollen battery can have a chemical odor or leak liquid substances which is definitely an indication of a failing battery.
Action to Take When You Notice Swelling Batteries
1. Cease all use of the equipment immediately
If you suspect any swelling in a battery, turn off your device and stop using the equipment. Continued use of a swollen battery raises the likelihood of fire or explosion.
2. Do Not Pierce or Extract the Battery
Piercing a swelling battery may allow the contained gases to escape from it, and this can thus lead to the burning or explosion of the battery. Without appropriate tools or the right expertise, removal may also become hazardous to handle.
3. Care in Handling the Device
Do not compress or bend a device that has a swollen battery. Handling may make the issue worse and pose safety risks.
4. Seek Professional Help
Go to a professional like Fone Click Shop, who is working for a certified repair technician or the manufacturer's service center. Experts will possess the right kind of tools and expert knowledge to extract and dispose of the swollen battery safely.
5. Responsible Disposal of the Battery
Swollen batteries are hazardous waste and, thus cannot be allowed in regular trash cans. Seek input from regional recycling centers and e-waste disposal services regarding proper disposal.
Prevention of Swelling of the Battery
When it comes to battery swelling causes, some of them are inevitable but proper care and usage will minimize the chances.
Here are some general tips:
1. Avoid Overcharging
Charge the device and then unplug it once the battery is fully charged. If you charge devices overnight, consider a smart charger that will stop charging the battery once it reaches 100%.
2. Maintain Optimal Charging Levels
Maintain a battery charge between 20% and 80% to avoid high stress on the battery that could reduce its lifespan.
3. Avoid Extreme Temperatures
Store and use devices in moderate temperatures away from direct sunlight and in hot cars.
4. Original or Certified Chargers
Intermittent supply from counterfeit or uncertified chargers increases the risk of swelling. Use original accessories or the manufacturer-recommended ones.
5. Keep Checking the Battery's Health
Many modern devices provide tools to monitor battery health. Keep an eye on metrics like battery capacity and charge cycles, and replace the battery if it shows signs of significant wear.
6. Avoid Physical Damage
Handle devices carefully to prevent drops or impacts that might damage the battery.
7. Replace Old Batteries
Consider replacing the battery proactively if it is more than two or three years old or has caused performance issues. This may prevent swelling before it's too late.
Dangers Related to Swollen Batteries
Swollen batteries are not a cosmetic issue or an operational problem, but they are dangerous and place lives at risk.
Fire Hazard:
- A swollen battery contains extremely combustible gases inside. If it breaks open, it can sometimes start a fire.
- In extreme cases, an explosion in a swollen battery could release a blast that results in injury and damage to property.
- There are toxic chemicals contained within the electrolyte of a swollen battery; these are dangerous if they penetrate through the skin or are inhaled.
- Swelling can cause some damage to the casings in the devices, and internal components inside the device may be affected as well, therefore making it worthless in usage.
Advancements in Battery Technology
Battery manufacturers and scientists are continuously working to advance battery safety and shelf life. Promising ones include:
1. Solid-State Batteries
Solid-state batteries replace a liquid electrolyte in a traditional battery with a solid state of an electrolyte. They reject the chance of producing any gas and are safer and less likely to swell.
2. Advances in BMS:
Advanced BMS technology allows batteries to be operated safely within a safe temperature and voltage range, minimizing the chance of overcharging and overheating.
3. New Chemistries
New chemistries in the form of lithium-sulfur and silicon-anode battery technologies offer higher energy density and longer lifetimes with greater safety features.
4. Recycling and Repurposing
Interest in recycling and repurposing alternative battery technologies is increasing, leading to a safer environment for battery disposal as well as safer battery designs.
Conclusion
Battery swelling is one pretty complicated issue for which a lot of factors could play a role in the inappropriate use of a battery to the natural degradation. Hence, early recognition of swelled signs by taking immediate action can prevent potential hazards and extend the life of your devices. Avoiding hazards would be possible if proper care for the battery and awareness about the advances in technology are observed.
When in doubt, always prioritize safety. Seek professional assistance for dealing with swollen batteries and dispose of them responsibly to protect yourself and the environment.
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