All the great properties of Teflon are due to its total and complete chemical inertness and stability. It doesn't react with anything in any capacity (not even on a van der walls level, thus its non-stick properties).
Sure it might be harmful like helium and water if you breath too much of it or eat nothing else, but as a chemical, Teflon is probably one of the least dangerous things you can put in your body.
I guess it could do something like asbestos (due to its mico-mechanical properties, not chemical), but as far as I know nothing like this is known.
I'd day the danger is pretty real. I work for a battery maker (A competitor of LG, makers of these 'hot' ones), and we've had some sketchy shit happen that didn't result in a recall. I'd have to guess that the problem is fairly serious.
I know for a fact that Apple won't issue a recall like this unless there is a clear danger.
I actually work as an engineer in the industry for what it's worth. A few things. As other posters have pointed out, their claims are careful and consistent- they seem to have a high power/current material.
First, this is very possible. Nearly ALL work in Li-ion right now is focused on two areas- lowering costs and increasing current. Capacity is kind of at a practical limit (safety concerns) right now and companies are looking elsewhere for development. Achieving higher currents (and thus power) in a li-ion cell is seen as a very achievable and profitable goal so every company is chasing it.
Actually, two new REAL high power cells were recently announced. This isn't just new cathode material, there are shipping product. See these press releases related stories:
http://www.jsonline.com/bym/news/jan05/292378.as p http://www.sony.net/SonyInfo/News/Press/200412/ 04- 060E/
I can promise you that these cells are not vapour. They are shipping right now.
Lastly, a fantabulous material does not a cell make. If true, they've got about 1/10 the way to actually cranking out batteries. Making a li-ion cells is damn hard and the electrode materials are only a small part of the overall picture. The two battery companies mentioned in the press releases above achieved their high power designs through about 20% material innovation and 80% mechanical/physical design and configuration.
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All the great properties of Teflon are due to its total and complete chemical inertness and stability. It doesn't react with anything in any capacity (not even on a van der walls level, thus its non-stick properties). Sure it might be harmful like helium and water if you breath too much of it or eat nothing else, but as a chemical, Teflon is probably one of the least dangerous things you can put in your body. I guess it could do something like asbestos (due to its mico-mechanical properties, not chemical), but as far as I know nothing like this is known.
I'd day the danger is pretty real. I work for a battery maker (A competitor of LG, makers of these 'hot' ones), and we've had some sketchy shit happen that didn't result in a recall. I'd have to guess that the problem is fairly serious.
I know for a fact that Apple won't issue a recall like this unless there is a clear danger.
I actually work as an engineer in the industry for what it's worth. A few things. As other posters have pointed out, their claims are careful and consistent- they seem to have a high power/current material.
s p/ 04- 060E/
First, this is very possible. Nearly ALL work in Li-ion right now is focused on two areas- lowering costs and increasing current. Capacity is kind of at a practical limit (safety concerns) right now and companies are looking elsewhere for development. Achieving higher currents (and thus power) in a li-ion cell is seen as a very achievable and profitable goal so every company is chasing it.
Actually, two new REAL high power cells were recently announced. This isn't just new cathode material, there are shipping product. See these press releases related stories:
http://www.jsonline.com/bym/news/jan05/292378.a
http://www.sony.net/SonyInfo/News/Press/200412
I can promise you that these cells are not vapour. They are shipping right now.
Lastly, a fantabulous material does not a cell make. If true, they've got about 1/10 the way to actually cranking out batteries. Making a li-ion cells is damn hard and the electrode materials are only a small part of the overall picture. The two battery companies mentioned in the press releases above achieved their high power designs through about 20% material innovation and 80% mechanical/physical design and configuration.
Long time reader, first time poster,
-JN