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LITHIUM-ION BATTERIES: AN ETHICAL DILEMMA
Michael Cohan (mcc107@pitt.edu)
TECHNOLOGY: THE LITHIUM-ION
BATTERY
Batteries are the future of energy. The non-renewable
resources that the world population is consuming for energy
are not only temporary, but are often harmful pollutants to
human health and to our planet. With the advancement of
battery technology comes a clean way to store and use
energy; specifically, lithium-ion batteries. Available to
consumers in the early 1990’s, lithium-ion batteries are a
recent discovery that has already changed every day life
around the world. Rechargeable appliances and gadgets such
as our cell phones, remotes, controllers, laptops, and much
more contain this lithium-ion technology. The inside of a
lithium-ion battery contains electrolytes, cathodes and
anodes, but it is not terribly complex when broken down to
its overall fundamentals. The transfer of energy in a battery
requires reactions. The difference between a lithium-ion
battery and a lead-acid battery (a non rechargeable battery)
is the direction of these reactions. In the lithium-ion
batteries, the reactions are reversible. Therefore, as energy is
transferred away from the battery there are a series of
reactions. When the battery is recharged, the energy can then
be transferred back in with the same reactions. Nonrechargeable batteries have reactions that are irreversible [9].
This technology has already benefitted the world, and
hopefully will continue to do so through the funding and
improvement of battery technology.
SCENARIO
My name is Michael Cohan and I am an executive
electrical engineer for the company Tesla Motors. As a
company interested in accelerating the world’s transition to
sustainable power, Tesla mainly focuses on the production
of batteries and electric vehicles. Inside the company Tesla, I
am responsible for formulating and managing the creation of
lithium-ion batteries. Recently, I discovered an ethical
dilemma while working on an overview of battery sales with
a client. Kazuo Hirai, an executive from Sony, revealed
some interesting facts about the sales of Tesla batteries
through Sony. I personally witness, and manage many
aspects of the creation of these batteries. When they leave
the factory, they preform as advertised. However, Mr. Hirai
revealed that our Tesla batteries were only lasting about half
as long when being sold through Sony. This resulted in an
obvious suspicion that Sony was tampering with the
batteries at their factories, after receiving them from Tesla.
After further investigation of these batteries shipment and
location this turned out to be true. Sony had been taking the
batteries to a factory where their power was depleted as they
University of Pittsburgh, Swanson School of Engineering 1
2015-11-03
were installed into different consumer products. Sony’s
motives were to increase company income. By draining the
batteries of half of their lifetime capabilities, customers who
bought Sony products with our Tesla batteries installed were
forced into buying an additional new device in a shorter
amount of time when the battery died. Unfortunately, this
violates multiple codes of ethics, can be hazardous to human
safety and our environment, and has the potential to dampen
the reputation of both Sony and Tesla.
However, it must be acknowledged that in every ethical
dilemma there is also an opportunity for growth. In an article
focused on the overview of the ethics in engineering,
William Marcy, executive director of the Murdough Center
for National Institute for Engineering Ethics, regards these
dilemmas as, “…a chance to really see different ways to
look at a problem. You do that when you create something
but also when you look at the moral implications of that
creation. Being ethical isn’t always about cut and dry
answers but getting yourself to actually consider the
possibilities. By doing that, you’re already ahead of many
people” [1].
THE ETHICAL DILEMMA
In the Fundamental Canons of the NSPE Code of Ethics
for Engineers it states that “Engineers, in the fulfillment of
their professional duties, shall act for each employer or
client as faithful agents or trustees”, as well as “avoid
deceptive acts” [7]. Sony, as a client of Tesla, violated both
of the above Fundamental Canons. By purchasing batteries
from Tesla, and then bifurcating their life span before
installing and reselling them in consumer electronics, Sony
has been an unfaithful client and has acted deceptively. In
addition, the IEEE Code of Ethics for Electrical Engineers
states that it is an obligation of the electrical engineering
profession to “accept responsibility in making decisions
consistent with the safety, health, and welfare of the public,
and to disclose promptly factors that might endanger the
public or the environment” [6]. Although Sony mainly
produces a variety of consumer entertainment products, they
also produce security equipment such as cameras and
surveillance systems. If a consumer, whether it is a largescale business or a single person, decides to install a Sony
security system into their building, they could expect it to
last a certain amount of time with the lithium-ion Tesla
battery inside. However, if Sony halves the life span of the
Tesla battery, the company or individual could be exposed to
unnecessary dangers when their security equipment fails
prematurely. Also, lithium-ion batteries have a potential to
overheat, and even combust if the right safety measures are
not taken during construction of the battery. Thermal
Michael Cohan
runaway is a process in which one part of the battery over
heats causing a chain reaction. During this mishap,
“miniature battery modules can melt,” and “the electrolyte
material between the anode and the cathode may even boil”
[5]. Tesla takes this into consideration by installing circuitry
that prevents over charging or heating of the battery.
However, due to the fact that it is undetermined in which
way Sony is depleting these batteries of their lifetime power,
it cannot be certain that these safety features remain
unsullied. Therefore, human safety could very well be in
danger.
tampering with the lithium-ion batteries in so many
consumer devices could mean the downfall of Sony as a
whole. Another potential decision would be to consult my
superiors. Although I am an executive engineer at Tesla, the
decision is at a level that may require more experienced
input. Therefore, going to the owner of Tesla, Elon Musk,
and the rest of the company’s executives could be an
intelligent selection. This would allow a full evaluation of
the situation, input from Tesla’s important members, and a
calculated settlement. The third and final potential
conclusion would be a total battery recall of any consumer
electronics containing Tesla batteries sold through Sony.
Since lithium-ion batteries have been invented, there have
been over 40 total large scale recalls due to safety hazards.
This includes a few recalls totaling nearly 300,000 units with
lithium-ion batteries from Hewlett-Packard, an extremely
successful computer company [5]. Unfortunately, this would
also result in media coverage and a demand for reasoning
behind the recall, as well as consumer suspicion of both
Sony and Tesla. By tampering with Tesla batteries for a
more rapid economic growth, Sony has inaugurated a serious
ethical dilemma, and a resolution must be reached.
BATTERY LIFE AND HUMAN LIFE
A rechargeable lithium-ion battery lifespan depends on
the device it is created for. Video game controller batteries
have a life span of about 3 years, cell phones have a life span
of around 5 years, and Tesla’s “powerwall” home generator
has a 10-year warranty with an even longer life expectancy.
However, when it comes down to the hard truth, these
batteries do eventually die and create waste. When compared
to the side effects of fossil fuels, and resultants such as
nuclear waste, lithium-ion batteries produce significantly
less rubbish [8]. Also, batteries can often be recycled for
parts, but not every part is reusable. Therefore, while Sony is
cutting the lifespan of these batteries in half, they are also
ignorantly doubling the waste produced. This creates many
obvious ethical issues.
Disposing of these batteries is a process that fills landfills
and takes up space on our continuously populating planet.
“Landfilling is the last step in a hierarchy of waste
management. Before landfilling are the preferred options of
reduction, reuse, recovery, and recycling” [4]. Landfills
cause air pollution through the leakage of methane, which is
a more significant pollutant than carbon dioxide. Also, as the
world population and consumerism grows, people are forced
to live closer and closer to landfills due to the limited
amount of space. Therefore, the chances of water pollution
and the impact landfills have on human safety are directly
related to the growth of these landfills [4]. All things
considered, I believe that the worst aspect of the situation
regarding Sony lies within an evaluation of the company’s
reputation compared to others. If a reputable, well known,
successful company, such as Sony, is committing these acts
then there is no way of knowing what other companies, or
how many for that matter, are violating codes of ethics in the
same manner.
THE INFLUENCE OF CASE STUDIES
In order to reach a final decision in an ethical dilemma,
the past must be examined for similar mistakes. Plenty of
case studies that have been developed in the past help
outline the chief principals of the issue as a whole. This can
help narrow down to what needs to be taken into deepest
consideration and what must be addressed through the
resolution. As an executive of one of the companies
involved, I decided to take matters into my own hands and
do some related research of this kind. In a case titled “Public
Health and Safety—Delay in Addressing Fire Code
Violations”, a situation regarding a fire protection engineer,
and the ability to replace expired equipment is evaluated in
depth [2]. Similarly, in “Case 1033” under a serious of cases
about engineering ethics from Texas Tech University, a
water main in a town needs to be replaced, but the funds to
do so are not available [3]. Many parallels can be drawn
between these two cases. In both of these situations, it is
evident that human health is in danger. Also, the danger is a
result of equipment produced by different types of
professional engineers. This can be applied directly to the
situation regarding Tesla and Sony. The batteries are a piece
of equipment produced by myself, and other intelligent
electrical engineers at Tesla. However, due to the tampering
conducted by Sony, the equipment could now be hazardous
not only to the company’s reputation, but it can also be
hazardous to human safety. In each case study it was
determined that, no matter the repercussions, actions must be
taken to regard human safety as the fundamental and crucial
aspect above all else. The examination of these past studies
had an exception influence on the final decision.
POTENTIAL DECISIONS
Obviously, when faced with a situation such as this, a very
important ethical decision has to me made. One way to
handle the problem would be to expose Sony for their
mistakes. This would most likely result in worldwide media
coverage, and a severe attenuating of Sony’s reputation, and
most likely their overall success. In fact, the extremity of
2
Michael Cohan
RECOMMENDATIONS TO ENGINEERS
[1] E. Butterman. (2014). “Ethics in Engineering” (online
article)
https://www.asme.org/engineeringtopics/articles/engineering-ethics/ethics-in-engineering
[2] “Public Health and Safety—Delay in Addressing Fire
Code Violations.” (2014, April) National Society of
Professional
Engineers
(Case
Study)
http://www.nspe.org/sites/default/files/BER%20Case%20No
%2013-11-FINAL.pdf
[3] “Ethics Cases.” (2014, October) Texas Tech University
(Case
Study)
http://www.depts.ttu.edu/murdoughcenter/products/cases.ph
p
[4]
“Landfill
Problems.”
(online
article)
http://www.wegreen-usa.org/landfill-problems.html
[5] “HP Expands Recall of Notebook Computer Batteries
Due to Fire Hazard.” (2011) (online article)
http://www.cpsc.gov/en/Recalls/2011/HP-Expands-Recallof-Notebook-Computer-Batteries-Due-to-Fire-Hazard/
[6] “IEEE Code of Ethics” (2015) Institute of Electrical and
Electronics
Engineers
(Code
of
Ethics)
http://www.ieee.org/about/corporate/governance/p7-8.html
[7] “NSPE Code of Ethics for Engineers” (2007) National
Society of Professional Engineers (Code of Ethics)
http://www.nspe.org/resources/ethics/code-ethics
[8] “Wastes-Hazardous Waste-Universal Wastes-Batteries”
(2012)
(online
article)
http://www3.epa.gov/epawaste/hazard/wastetypes/universal/
batteries.htm
[9] “First-ever look inside a working lithium-ion battery”
(2014,
September)
(online
article)
http://phys.org/news/2014-09-first-ever-lithium-ion-batteryvideo.html
An experience with an ethical dilemma, such as this
lithium-ion battery incident with Tesla and Sony, does not
rise and fall without gained wisdom. My first piece of advice
to fellow engineers is to follow the codes of ethics. This
includes those that are applied to all engineers, and those
that are specific to your profession. If each code is obeyed,
there will be no conflicts with ethical problems, and if you
do end up in one of these dilemmas, you will not be at fault.
My second recommendation is to always think before you
act. Be sure to take all things into consideration, and do the
necessary research before a decision is made. It would have
been easy to expose Sony to the media, and watch the
company fall. However, this outcome also would have had
the potential to drag Tesla down along with Sony, and Tesla
is not at fault. Therefore, the research of case studies, and
the examination of all possible decisions was a calculated
maneuver that helped the overall situation and both
companies tremendously in the long run. My third
suggestion is to remember that by approaching these ethical
issues properly when you encounter them, you will benefit
from a learning experience that will separate you from those
who have not done the same. Also, respect the opinions and
responsibilities of your superiors. If the situation is drastic
enough, contacting a superior can be one of the first and
most useful options. Last, put the safety of the public above
all other interests. It is morally right, and if the proper
research is conducted, it is evident that others regarded
public safety as the most important part of any dilemma. No
one should ever be put in danger over the simple ethical
mistakes of engineers.
FINAL DECISION
ADDITIONAL SOURCES
Although reaching a conclusion was not an instantaneous
process, it was also not an extremely difficult one. After the
proper research through past cases and the contents of the
current situation, as well as the examination of the ethics
behind it all, I have come to the conclusion to combine two
of the previously stated potential decisions into one final
decision. It is clear that public safety comes first no matter
what. Therefore, a battery recall through Sony must be
conducted. However, although I am an executive, it is not
my decision to make alone, and my superiors would have
experienced opinions on this matter. For that reason, I
decided to contact my superiors and arrange a meeting
where all minds can be combined into one final decision.
Since I have discovered the issue, I am sure my input on the
need for a battery recall will be taken into deep
consideration. I have no doubt that my cordial relationship
with my superiors will allow for this well thought out
conclusion of a consumer lithium-ion battery recall to
become a reality.
[10] “The Cost of Integrity.” (1999). WebGURU (Case
Study) http://www.webguru.neu.edu/professionalism/casestudies/cost-integrity
[11] “Public Criticism of Saftey (adapted from NSPE Case
No. 88-1)” (2006, October) National Academy of
Engineering
(Case
Study)
http://www.onlineethics.org/resources/cases/ec88-7.aspx
[12] (website) http://www.teslamotors.com/powerwall
[13](website)https://pro.sony.com/bbsc/ssr/catsecuritycamer
as/
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
I would like to thank my RA, Shil Patel, for peer editing
my paper, as well as my older sister for editing, and helping
me make improvements over my last writing assignment. I
would also like to thank my writing instructor, John
Caluasina, for helping me select a topic of interest to write
about.
REFERENCES
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