This article has been taken from The Gen Newsletter - Autumn 2007. Click here to download the PDF.
Both Apple and Dell’s high profile product recalls of more than one million Sony-powered laptops has raised concerns over battery safety, affecting clients everywhere but particularly in the industrial, military and consumer sectors. The battery has been considered safe for so long that we forget just how much energy it contains. Now, battery safety is being compromised in two main ways: cheap batteries manufactured under less than stringent quality control are entering the market; and the drive to make more products cordless is resulting in applications which can cause serious battery stress. We have experienced a significant rise in requests for battery quality testing, and advice on how to better specify battery-powered products. Clients wanting to sell own brand batteries are keen to find the cheapest supplier, but need to ensure safety is not compromised. Clients also want advice on product specification; new products often use battery power to provide differentiation, but power supply is usually thought of as a drop-in component, not an integral part of the overall design. As a result, the battery is stretched to its limits with potentially dangerous consequences. We work with product designers and battery manufacturers, providing a technical ‘bridge’ which greatly improves communication and results in successful, safe products. Both product designers and battery manufacturers need to understand the full implications of cutting costs on battery design, build, use and eventual disposal. Our deep understanding of this industry means we are well-placed to help in this area, but we all need to ensure that product manufacturers are aware of the impact that products with less-than-perfect power can have to the battery supplier, the end user and the environment.
