The great and infamous series of battery recalls (and, um, fires) that highlighted 2006 may be unlikely to happen again as researchers have begun studying the most commonly found batteries that can still catch fire under the right conditions. According to Ars Technica, researchers at the Fraunhofer Institute for Silicate Research ISC in Germany are hoping to develop lithium-ion batteries without flammable materials.

"We have succeeded in replacing the inflammable organic electrolytes with a non-flammable polymer that retains its shape," ISC team leader Dr. Kai-Christian Möller said in a statement. "This considerably enhances the safety of lithium-ion batteries. What’s more, because it is a solid substance, the electrolyte cannot leak out of the battery."

Representatives with the ISC have stated that they have developed a polymer, known as Ormocer, which is derived from an inorganic compound and allows organic side chains to attach to it. The challenge, however, is to create a non-flammable polymer which retains its shape, yet doesn't suffer when it comes to actually transmitting the energy.

"Normally, the more solid a polymer is, the less conductive it becomes," said Möller. "But we had numerous parameters that we could adjust—for example, we can use coupling elements with two, three or four arms. As a result, we have more possibilities with Ormocer than with a single type of plastic."

Researchers at the institute have also developer a prototype of the new battery, which could reach consumer hands in three to five years. Though additional improvements need to be made in terms of the device's storage capacity and efficiency in delivering power, the ISC says that once these improvements have been made, the battery could even compete with lead batteries for cars.

In addition to the fire-resistant batteries, Fraunhofer also recently announced a partnership with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in order to further research "green" energy technologies. The two firms will focus on developing green energy systems for buildings and devices at the MIT-Fraunhofer Institute for Sustainable Energy Systems near MIT's campus in Massachusetts.

Stay tuned for more news on this as it develops and if you have anything you'd like to add, please let us know over in the comments or forums.