Let’s face it, many of us have encountered an old smartphone battery that looked ready to pop, but prodding around or even stabbing the cells is definitely something you should never do. There have been horror stories of lithium-ion polymer batteries exploding, and those are not just myths, as the iFixit team shows.
Li-po batteries are considered to be one of the most energy-dense electrical storage options available, and they’re typically safe to handle. If you were to look inside one, you’ll find multiple layers of ultra-thin metals, plastic, and chemical slurries that have been stacked together. These are then rolled into a flat rectangle and placed into a foil pouch filled with a polymer-based electrolyte before being sealed.
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When you puncture a li-po battery, you break through the insulating layers and cause a localized short-circuit. All of the battery’s stored electrical energy wants to course through this short, and the resulting current flow superheats the spot—this is how a car’s cigarette lighter works,” said iFixit.
