Long Life Lithium-Ion Batteries

 Have you ever wondered how those little batteries we find in nearly every type of electronic equipment work or why we have to replace them so often? Most batteries in electronic equipment are lithium-ion with the best energy-to-weight ratios of any battery developed thus far. They are slow to lose their charge when not in use. Aside from use in all sorts of electronic gadgetry, they are widely used by the defense department weapon systems, automotive, and aerospace industry because of their high energy density. Although they are great batteries they can become a fire hazard and even explode if mistreated.

Lithium-ion batteries are rechargeable batteries which provide for its long life as compared to regular lithium batteries. The way a lithium-ion battery works is there is a flow of lithium ions from the anode to cathode during discharge (when the equipment is in use) and from the cathode to the anode when being recharged. There are different types of lithium batteries with different voltage outputs (1.5 – 18 volts) that use different chemistry and have different performance and safety characteristics. Lithium-ion batteries work differently than a regular lithium battery that came into use a decade ago and are still used in small electronic equipment today. The difference between a regular lithium battery and lithium-ion cells battery is that the lithium-ion battery uses an intercalated lithium compound as the electrode material instead of the metallic lithium found in regular lithium batteries. This is what gives them their longer life.

A much long life lithium-ion battery is being developed by the Japanese that will increase the life of the lithium-ion battery. These new long life high capacity batteries can sustain as many as 10,000 recharges and extend the life to nearly 20 years. The increase in performance is made possible by new techniques used in the stabilization process of the battery's electrodes. This puts less stress on the battery's tin, which maintains the bonding of particles, for a longer period of time and reduces the overall deterioration process from normal use and recharging. Overall, the new battery is projected to last10 times longer. This new technology is currently designed for large heavy-duty batteries used in electric vehicles and heavy equipment. It won’t be long before this new battery technology is miniaturized for adaptation into smaller electronic devices, such as cell phones, laptops, and other equipment.

The advantages of this long life rechargeable lithium battery technology will increase battery life by 10 fold, lower costs, and reduce waste. It is also safer in terms of battery abuse reducing the potential of fires and explosions.