Battery safety advances and travel warnings target fire risks

Researchers are developing water‑based (aqueous) electrolytes for lithium‑ion and sodium‑ion batteries, which are far less flammable than the organic electrolytes used in most high‑performance cells. Companies such as SoftBank‑backed Cosmos Lab aim to begin mass production of a zinc‑halogen battery in Japan by fiscal 2027, while Massachusetts‑based Alsym Energy is pursuing non‑flammable sodium‑ion batteries for large‑scale storage. These chemistries could reduce fire‑suppression needs, lower installation costs and lessen reliance on metals like cobalt and nickel.

Safety officials warn that lithium‑ion power banks can overheat, enter thermal runaway and emit toxic gases, especially on aircraft where confined space amplifies hazards. Experts advise travelers, particularly in the UAE, to avoid damaged units, handle them carefully and keep them in the cabin where crew can respond. As Medy Navani of Instinkt notes, "Unlike phones or laptops, which are part of fully engineered and tightly controlled systems, power banks are often loosely regulated and widely sourced from varying levels of manufacturing quality."