Questions and answers on lithium-ion batteries

The battery is able to take repeated charges because it has no so-called “memory effect”,

False, number of cycles has nothing to do with the memory effect. It only depends on the breakdown of the anode and cathode (depending on battery chemistry), as well as electrolyte degradation (due to high discharge rates). Nickel Metal Hydride and Lithium Ion batteries don't really show memory effects, but degrade just the same.

Overcharging of the packs creates heat, which in some cases can cause combustion.

That is true of all other battery types too, including the old lead-acid batteries used in some planes (and your car).

TOKYO — The lithium-ion battery that powers the Dreamliner has emerged as the focus of a probe into why an All Nippon Airways plane was forced into an emergency landing

The lithium battery powers the whole aircraft? That's one powerful battery!

Before you blame the lithium battery for Boeing's troubles, you have to look at the control system, which the battery maker Yuasa didn't design. If they made the battery to spec, that is Boeing's problem too. It could be a problem in the battery design by Yuasa if they had open specs.

gokai_wo_manekuJan. 18, 2013 - 05:04PM JST

Before you blame the lithium battery for Boeing's troubles, you have to look at the control system, which the battery maker Yuasa didn't design.

The control system may also be at fault, but the battery manufacturer has to take full responsibility for the batteries leaking electrolyte (if it can't be shown to be a maintenance error). Regardless of what caused the batteries to give off more energy than they should have, the cause of the fire and battery leakage rests entirely on Yuasa's doorstep.

. Regardless of what caused the batteries to give off more energy than they should have, the cause of the fire and battery leakage rests entirely on Yuasa's doorstep.

What if the battery has operating range conditions such as allowable temperature, allowable charging voltage in, minimum resistance out, and one or more of these are violated?

Very good.