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Science Friday

Supreme Court Case On Regulation Of Vapes | Predicting Lithium-Ion Battery Explosions

Dec 6, 2024
Rachel Feltman, host of Popular Science's "The Weirdest Thing I Learned This Week," dives into scorching topics like the Supreme Court's looming decision on FDA regulations for flavored vapes, which could reshape the landscape for youth nicotine addiction. She also sheds light on startling advancements in AI that predict lithium-ion battery explosions, addressing their potential dangers. Additionally, the conversation touches on impressive cervical cancer rate declines thanks to the HPV vaccine and surprising insights about Venus's ancient climate.
25:39

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Quick takeaways

  • The Supreme Court's decision on the FDA's regulation of flavored nicotine vapes could reshape public health policies around youth addiction.
  • AI algorithms that detect specific sounds from lithium-ion batteries aim to prevent deadly explosions through early warnings before ignition.

Deep dives

AI Technology for Battery Safety

Researchers have developed AI algorithms capable of predicting lithium-ion battery explosions by detecting a specific sound emitted before ignition. This sound is created during a process called thermal runaway, which involves a series of internal reactions in the battery that lead to overheating. Notably, the first audible sign is a hissing sound when a safety valve breaks, signaling that the battery is at risk. By training algorithms to recognize these sound signatures, researchers aim to create tools for early detection, potentially integrating this technology into smoke detectors or even the batteries themselves.

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