The Samsung Galaxy Note 7 exploding battery fiasco has stirred major concerns whether smartphone batteries are really safe. In an effort to prevent these disasters from happening, a group of Stanford scientists have developed a lithium-ion battery pack, which includes a capsule filled with triphenyl phosphate (TPP). Once the battery's internal temperature reaches a certain point, the capsule will melt releasing the TPP and extinguishing the fire.

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The team working on the project found out that TPP is a type of chemical-fire retardant. The chemical is capable of extinguishing an exploding battery in just 0.4 seconds, according to 9to5Google. The team also set the temperature threshold at 302 degrees Fahrenheit, at that point, the capsule will melt releasing the TPP chemical.

Tech analysts said that this is a much needed fail-safe option in securing lithium-ion batteries, especially in the wake of the Note 7 disaster. Experts said that lithium-ion batteries have a higher tendency of catching fire when they are too hot. Most of these explosions happen when a lithium-ion battery pack charges too quickly or when some manufacturing errors trigger the battery to short circuit.

Commenting on the issue about exploding batteries, IHS senior analyst Ian Fogg told BBC, "There is enormous pressure to improve battery tech. it's one of the areas that's holding back mobile devices and range of other products."

Regarding the issue of the exploding Galaxy Note 7, prior investigations revealed that chemical reactions on the batteries triggered the explosions. Samsung is yet to release the official results of the company's own investigation.

Tagsbattery, exploding battery, Samsung, Galaxy Note 7, battery pack, smartphone battery