Taipei Invention Show 2010

Lithium Ion Battery Safety

Of all the things we saw at the show, this breakthrough in battery safety could be a future requirement of Lithium Ion technology.

Developed by the Industrial Technology Research Institute in Taiwan the STOBA powder is added to the normal battery manufacturing process along the electrode. Should the electronics short between these internal electrodes the heat generated quickly polymerises the STOBA powder, sealing them off and separating them again before a catastrophic reaction occurs. We don't know yet what effect this has on the battery, but even if it's rendered useless that's better than blowing a hole in your lap!

Genuinely Ingenious Lamp Removal

OK this isn't tech or a gadget, but it's so simple it's awesome. Put some soft(ish), grippy and heat resistant material on the end of an extendible pole. Now there's no need for a ladder, no need to get your hands burnt or possibly electrocuted when changing a lightbulb. That's just genius.

Measure while you tape

How about some sticky tape that also acts as a tape measure? It's a genuinely inventive way to measure awkward shaped objects, however as impressed as we were, a quick Google tells us it's not entirely a unique concept. Oh well.