Lithium-ion battery fires are becoming increasingly common as electric vehicles spread, and are hard to extinguish. A new approach uses an electrolyte based on a commercial fire extinguisher.
In June 2023, a fire started at this e-bike shop in New York City and spread to upper floors of the building.
AP Photo/Bebeto Matthews
Lithium-ion batteries power many electric cars, bikes and scooters. When they are damaged or overheated, they can ignite or explode. Four engineers explain how to handle these devices safely.
New research shows that the destructive merging of a star and a planet expels huge amounts of gas, as shown in this artist’s impression.
K. Miller/R. Hurt (Caltech/IPAC)
Stars begin to expand when they run out of fuel and can become thousands of times larger, consuming any planets in the way. For the first time, astronomers have witnessed one such event.
Hidden underneath the bright colors and celebratory nature of fireworks is a combination of ancient chemistry and modern pyrotechnical recipes.
When water and boiling oil mix, the result can be explosive, as seen in this demonstration.
U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Travis Alston/Released via Flickr
Deep-fried turkeys are delicious, but making one can be dangerous. The scientific reason for fiery Thanksgiving mishaps? A difference in the densities of ice, water and oil.
A test explosion during a training exercise.
Shutterstock/Prath
In 1917, two ships collided in the port of Halifax, resulting in an explosion similar to the Aug. 4 blast in Beirut. Port explosions have devastating effects far beyond the site of the actual blast.
Many children got burn injuries because of poor housing.
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