Hoping to bring a final end to the era of the exploding notebook, researchers at the Fraunhofer Institute for Silicate Research ISC in Germany are developing batteries without flammable materials.

The liquid electrolytes at the heart of traditional lithium-ion batteries can catch fire, but the Fraunhofer scientists say they've figured out a way to make them with a new, solid polymer that's inflammable, and, since it's solid, won't leak.

The Trend

Companies are rolling out lithium- ion cells—old hat in mobile phones—with enough juice to feed amp-hungry power tools.

Why Now

Engineers have tweaked the
li-ion recipe and added circuit boards that monitor cells to prevent batteries from exploding.

How You'll Benefit

Li-ion tools offer 40 percent more power per pound than those using nickel-based batteries.