Lithium-Ion Battery Technology

Lithium-ion battery technology really got portable electronics off the ground. Its high energy density provides more joules of power per kilogram than previous batteries like nickel cadmium and nickel metal hydride.

They are also not easily removed from the device and can contain enough energy to injure or start fires. Contact the manufacturer or automobile dealer for disposal instructions and heed battery and product markings regarding safety and handling.

Cost

The cost of lithium-ion batteries has fallen dramatically over the last three decades, helping to drive growth in clean energy technologies. However, the precise magnitude of this cost decline has remained highly debated and is critical to understanding how battery technology will evolve in the future. It is also crucial to devising useful policies and research priorities.

Lithium-ion batteries are rechargeable, which makes them an attractive option for powering portable devices such as laptops and phones. They have an energy density that is up to two times greater than Ni-Cd batteries, making them the preferred choice for many consumer applications. They are also able to handle hundreds of charge/discharge cycles, making them more durable than their nickel-cadmium counterparts. However, they have some disadvantages, such as their sensitivity to temperature and high energy density.

A lithium-ion battery cell for a smartphone costs the device OEM about $2 to $4, depending on its capacity and other design attributes. A complete lithium-ion battery pack for an electric car can cost as much as $20,000, representing a large portion of the vehicle’s total price tag.

On a regional basis, battery pack prices are cheapest in lifepo4 rechargeable battery China, where the average is $127/kWh. In contrast, the US and Europe have higher prices, owing to relatively immature markets, high production costs, and low-volume bespoke orders.

Durability

The demand for portable devices with more power and slimmer form factors is driving a race to develop advanced battery technologies that deliver on their promises. As the lithium-ion battery continues to dominate consumer electronics, it’s important to understand how these batteries work and how to prolong their lifespan.

Lithium-ion batteries are long running and low maintenance, especially compared to nickel-cadmium or lead batteries. They don’t have the memory effect that can cause Ni-Cad cells to perform below their rated capacity after repeated partial discharge and charge cycles. They also don’t require priming equipment or regular top-up charging like lead acid cells. They can be evaluated for performance by a count of cycle counts, but this method is not conclusive because each cycle may differ in depth and there are no standards for what constitutes a “cycle” (see BU-415: Battery Testing Basics).

However, even high-quality Li-ion packs experience aging and loss of performance over time, similar to other battery chemistries. The deterioration is due to cycling, elevated temperature and internal resistance growth. To avoid this, keep lithium-ion batteries in a cool place and partially charged during storage. This helps slow down the ageing process and improves overall performance. It’s LiFePO4 Rechargeable Battery Manufacturer recommended to use a charger that limits peak voltage and monitors cell temperature to prevent thermal runaway. A PPTC disc device can help protect individual lithium-ion cells from overheating during shipping and handling prior to assembly into packs.

Safety

Lithium batteries are used in a variety of devices, from e-scooters to laptops, and they allow manufacturers to cram hours of battery life into slim gadgets. However, when these batteries are overheated or damaged, they can cause fires. These battery fires are on the rise in New York City and have caused devastating fires and deaths in residential buildings. This is why it is important to follow safe battery practices.

While the lithium ions in lithium-ion batteries are chemically bound and non-reactive, they can be displaced by moisture when the battery is exposed to extreme heat or vibration. When this happens, the battery can experience a thermal runaway, which leads to smoke, flames, and a fire that can destroy an entire building.

To reduce the risk of fire, lithium-ion batteries are designed with safety features. These include vents to release gases, circuit boards that regulate energy flow, and a backup thermostat or fuse. Despite these safety measures, however, lithium-ion batteries can still catch fire or explode.

Airlines are required to assess the risks of allowing passengers to carry lithium batteries as cargo. The risks are outlined in an FAA document on “Batteries and Battery-Power Devices – Aviation Cargo and Passenger Incidents Involving Smoke, Fire, Extreme Heat, or Explosion”. Increasing awareness of the risks of carrying lithium batteries by flight crews and cabin passengers could help reduce these incidents.

Recyclability

Portable lithium batteries are used in a wide range of applications, including portable electronic devices and electric vehicles. They use high power densities to reduce their volume and weight, while delivering the longest battery life and stability. These batteries are also used to store renewable energy in wind turbines and solar panels, allowing for storage during peak demand times and for use when new energy creation is not possible.

These batteries can be recycled at certified electronics recyclers and participating retailers or by contacting your local solid waste or household hazardous waste collection program. However, it’s important to note that these batteries contain a reactive element, lithium, which can cause fire and explosion if the cathode material is exposed to moisture. Therefore, they should never be discarded in the trash or placed in municipal recycling bins with other materials, as this could create a fire hazard.

The recycling of these batteries involves dismantling and reprocessing the cells for a variety of metals, such as cobalt, nickel, manganese, and lithium. These metals can be extracted from the spent batteries using a number of processing techniques, including mechanical-physical pre-treatment, chemical dissolution, and pyrometallurgical or hydrometallurgical leaching processes. These methods yield valuable cathode powders, which can be reused in the production of lithium-ion batteries. This is an attractive market for a variety of companies, from startup companies like Battery Resourcers to established industrial plants.