Impromptu fires spark increase in heatproof batteries

Faced with a choice of either making non-exploding batteries or fireproof trousers for nervous laptop users, Matsushita have decided to go down the former route and mass-produce heatproof, spark-resistant Li-Ion cells.  Missed fashion opportunities aside, they intend to raise production of insulated batteries to half of all lithium-ion batteries they make in 2009.

This comes following the recalls of Sony and Sanyo batteries which have displayed a worrying propensity to blow up in people's faces and crotches. 

Matsushita to mass-produce heatproof batteries [Reuters]