Just so you know, tonight I was working on a geiger counter with a 3.6 volt lithium battery (AA type) and I pulled the positive electrode of the battery out about a 1/4".

The battery started hissing and emitting a foul odor. I immediately threw the battery out in the front yard.

According to the voltmeter the battery was dead. This is a special battery with leads welded to the ends, I wanted to salvage the leads to attach a new battery that had no leads. Screw this...it is going back to the manufacturer. Be careful, I understand that lithium batteries can explode or catch fire if there is a problem with the battery or the circuit it supplies power to.

http://components.about.com/od/Compo...iionsafety.htm