What is a lithium-Ion battery?

The Takeaways:

• High Energy Density: Lithium-ion batteries store more energy in a compact size, resulting in longer device runtime.
• Long Cycle Life: They can be charged and discharged many times without significant capacity loss.
• Low Self-Discharge Rate: They retain their charge for extended periods when not in use.
• Lightweight Design: Their compact and lightweight nature makes them ideal for portable devices.
• Safety Considerations: Proper handling, storage, and disposal are essential to ensure safety and environmental responsibility.

What is a lithium-Ion battery made of?

As the name suggests, lithium-ion batteries contain one or more lithium-ion cells. These are the fundamental building blocks of any lithium ion battery system. These cells themselves contain two electrodes – an anode and a cathode – placed inside to send and receive electrical current, which ultimately is sent to the device powered by the battery system.

The electrodes themselves are typically designed using graphite and a metal oxide applied on cooper or aluminum foil. In between both electrodes is a separator used to prevent battery shorting. An electrolyte gel surrounds the middle to aid in conducting the ions. This basic structure illustrates the core materials used in lithium ion batteries, which are constantly evolving to improve efficiency, energy density, and safety.

This setup reflects the core of lithium ion technology – efficient ion flow between electrodes, which makes such batteries lightweight, rechargeable, and high-density.

Of course, modern batteries have evolved substantially from their original designs. Most, if not all, now include thermal management systems and other safety features. The complexity of the chemistry taking place inside the battery has also drastically increased. Today’s lithium-ion battery technology incorporates nanotechnology, solid-state electrolytes, and advanced electrode materials for superior performance.

How does the Battery Management System (BMS) protect lithium-ion cells?

While the chemical composition of lithium-ion cells provides high energy density, it also requires precise electronic supervision to remain stable and durable over hundreds of cycles. This is where the Battery Management System (BMS) becomes indispensable. A high-quality BMS acts as the brain of the battery, ensuring that each cell operates within its Safe Operating Area (SOA). Without this level of control, cells could suffer from premature aging or dangerous thermal runaway. Key protective functions include:

• Voltage Monitoring: Preventing individual cells from overcharging or over-discharging, which could lead to chemical instability or permanent capacity loss.
• Thermal Regulation: Constantly tracking temperature to ensure the battery operates within safe limits, preventing overheating during high-current discharge.
• Cell Balancing: Equalizing the state of charge across all cells in a pack to maximize the total usable energy and prolong the overall lifespan of the system.

By integrating these safety layers, battery systems can offer reliable and efficient power solutions that meet the most rigorous standards of industrial, medical, and consumer applications alike.

Lithium-Ion batteries – Possible applications

Now that we know what a lithium-ion battery is made of, the next logical question to ponder concerns its practical applications. So, what is a lithium battery used for, and where does lithium ion technology really shine? Their range of applications extends far beyond just smartphones and laptops. Take a look at the list below for a fuller breakdown.

E-Bikes & E-Mobility

Lithium-ion batteries found a seemingly perfect home in many transport-related applications, like electric bikes and vehicles. Thanks to them vehicles are silent and do not produce exhaust gases.

Power Tools

In the world of power tools, lithium-ion batteries brought about significant change by offering wireless operation without the heft of cadmium or nickel-based batteries. Overall, Li-ion solutions provide greater efficiency and reliability. Their longer battery lifecycles also translate into savings and a positive environmental impact.

Energy Storage

Our energy output capabilities have been continually increasing with the advent of renewable sources. Lithium-ion batteries contribute heavily to the energy storage landscape as a cost-effective and scalable method to control supply and demand.

Health Care

Steady improvements in the health care sector allow lithium-ion batteries to shine. Medicine is the perfect example of just how far we can take technology to make our lives better, safer, and healthier.

The takeaway

Now you know what lithium batteries are, what they’re made of, and what they’re most commonly used for. Whether you’re looking at energy storage, transportation, or healthcare, the lithium ion battery remains the cornerstone of modern portable power.

You may also read: What Is a Battery Management System?

Sources

Buchmann, I. (2024). The Lithium-ion Battery. Battery University. https://batteryuniversity.com/article/bu-204-how-do-lithium-batteries-work

Nobel Prize Outreach. The Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2019: Lithium-ion Batteries. https://www.nobelprize.org/prizes/chemistry/2019/popular-information/

Whittingham, M. S. (2012). History, evolution, and future status of energy storage. Proceedings of the IEEE, 100(Special Centennial Issue), 1518-1534.

International Energy Agency (2023). The Role of Critical Minerals in Clean Energy Transitions. https://www.iea.org/reports/the-role-of-critical-minerals-in-clean-energy-transitions