Lithium Ion Battery – From Better to the Best
Lithium Ion (Li-ion) battery is incredibly popular nowadays. You can find it everywhere, powering countless portable devices such as laptops, cell phones and iPods. What exactly makes Li-ion battery the most popular technology for cell phones, topping its competitors in the market?
Li-ion battery is often a better choice since it has higher energy and power densities and operates at higher voltage, compare to most types of rechargeable batteries, such as Nickel-metal Hydride (Ni-Mh) battery. With a voltage of 3.7 volts, a single cell of Li-ion battery can replace a few Ni-Mh cells, which normally contains 1.2 volts each. Li-ion battery can also store more energy than normal Ni-Mh battery at similar size or weight. For example, a Li-ion battery weighs around 20-35% less than a Ni-Mh battery with equivalent electric charge. What’s more, Li-ion battery has a lower self-discharge rate. It can hold a charge longer even after weeks of storage, but a Ni-Mh battery can lose 1-5% of its charge every day.
Undoubtedly, price is always a major concern. Getting a Li-ion battery in the past might cost more since the production was rather small. But as time goes by, production increases and Li-ion battery is more widely used. Prices have been greatly reduced in recent years, making the product more competitive in the market.
Another factor that contributes to the success of Li-ion battery is the absence of ‘Memory Effect’. The term describes a condition in which a battery ‘remembers’ its usual discharge point and may seem to be in need of a recharge whenever hitting that particular point. For example, if a battery always gets discharged to only 50% of its capacity, it will ‘remembers’ it and will flash ‘Battery Low’ when reaching the 50% level. Therefore, its true capacity will be under-used, while battery life will be shortened. ‘Memory Effect’ is not seen in any Li-ion battery but Ni-Mh battery is still prone to develop such effect.
We all know that nothing is perfect. Li-ion battery also has its shortcoming – it discharges energy slowly and requires long hours to recharge. However, a research team at Massachusetts Institute of Technology recently found that materials currently used in Li-ion battery can be re-engineered, hence accelerating the movement of charge-carrying lithium ions inside the battery. This will, as a result, considerably increase the ability to discharge and reduce the charging time. Smaller and lighter Li-ion battery can also be made since less material is needed. The team believes that such ‘improved’ Li-ion battery will be available in the market in the coming two to three years.
It is important to note that the disposal of Li-ion batteries is a great concern in our society. A Li-ion battery should not be disposed as normal trash and should never be incinerated since it might explode. Similar to Ni-Mh battery, a Li-ion one is recyclable and users are strongly encouraged to recycle it when it no longer holds a charge. Stores selling these batteries usually accept returns for recycling; users may also drop the worn batteries off at any recycling center. While picking a good rechargeable battery, please also help creating a cleaner and safer environment.
Li-ion battery is often a better choice since it has higher energy and power densities and operates at higher voltage, compare to most types of rechargeable batteries, such as Nickel-metal Hydride (Ni-Mh) battery. With a voltage of 3.7 volts, a single cell of Li-ion battery can replace a few Ni-Mh cells, which normally contains 1.2 volts each. Li-ion battery can also store more energy than normal Ni-Mh battery at similar size or weight. For example, a Li-ion battery weighs around 20-35% less than a Ni-Mh battery with equivalent electric charge. What’s more, Li-ion battery has a lower self-discharge rate. It can hold a charge longer even after weeks of storage, but a Ni-Mh battery can lose 1-5% of its charge every day.
Undoubtedly, price is always a major concern. Getting a Li-ion battery in the past might cost more since the production was rather small. But as time goes by, production increases and Li-ion battery is more widely used. Prices have been greatly reduced in recent years, making the product more competitive in the market.
Another factor that contributes to the success of Li-ion battery is the absence of ‘Memory Effect’. The term describes a condition in which a battery ‘remembers’ its usual discharge point and may seem to be in need of a recharge whenever hitting that particular point. For example, if a battery always gets discharged to only 50% of its capacity, it will ‘remembers’ it and will flash ‘Battery Low’ when reaching the 50% level. Therefore, its true capacity will be under-used, while battery life will be shortened. ‘Memory Effect’ is not seen in any Li-ion battery but Ni-Mh battery is still prone to develop such effect.
We all know that nothing is perfect. Li-ion battery also has its shortcoming – it discharges energy slowly and requires long hours to recharge. However, a research team at Massachusetts Institute of Technology recently found that materials currently used in Li-ion battery can be re-engineered, hence accelerating the movement of charge-carrying lithium ions inside the battery. This will, as a result, considerably increase the ability to discharge and reduce the charging time. Smaller and lighter Li-ion battery can also be made since less material is needed. The team believes that such ‘improved’ Li-ion battery will be available in the market in the coming two to three years.
It is important to note that the disposal of Li-ion batteries is a great concern in our society. A Li-ion battery should not be disposed as normal trash and should never be incinerated since it might explode. Similar to Ni-Mh battery, a Li-ion one is recyclable and users are strongly encouraged to recycle it when it no longer holds a charge. Stores selling these batteries usually accept returns for recycling; users may also drop the worn batteries off at any recycling center. While picking a good rechargeable battery, please also help creating a cleaner and safer environment.
Categories:
Battery,
Cell Phone Accessories
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