What Are Lithium-Ion Batteries?
                     What Are Lithium-Ion 
Batteries?
Introduction
Lithium-ion batteries power the lives of millions of 
people each day. From laptops and cell phones to 
hybrids and electric cars, this technology is growing 
in popularity due to its lightweight, high energy 
density, and ability to recharge.
Source: www.energy.gov
History
Pioneer work with the lithium battery began in 1912 under 
G.N. Lewis but it was not until the early 1970s when the 
first non-rechargeable lithium batteries became 
commercially available. 
Source: www.energy.gov
Lithium
lithium is the lightest of all metals, has the greatest 
electrochemical potential and provides the largest energy 
density for weight.
Source: batteryuniversity.com
Source of Energy
Although slightly lower in energy density than lithium metal, 
lithium-ion is safe, provided certain precautions are met 
when charging and discharging. In 1991, the Sony 
Corporation commercialized the first lithium-ion battery. 
Other manufacturers followed suit.
Source: batteryuniversity.com
Characteristics
The energy density of lithium-ion is typically twice that of 
the standard nickel-cadmium. There is potential for higher 
energy densities. The load characteristics are reasonably 
good and behave similarly to nickel-cadmium in terms of 
discharge. 
Source: batteryuniversity.com
Advantage of Lithium-ion
Lithium-ion is a low maintenance battery, an advantage 
that most other chemistries cannot claim. There is no 
memory and no scheduled cycling is required to prolong 
the battery's life.
Source: batteryuniversity.com
Advantages cont.
In addition, the self-discharge is less than half compared to 
nickel-cadmium, making lithium-ion well suited for modern 
fuel gauge applications. lithium-ion cells cause little harm 
when disposed.
Source: batteryuniversity.com
Drawback
Despite its overall advantages, lithium-ion has its 
drawbacks. It is fragile and requires a protection circuit to 
maintain safe operation. Built into each pack, the protection 
circuit limits the peak voltage of each cell during charge 
and prevents the cell voltage from dropping too low on 
discharge. 
Source: batteryuniversity.com
Capacity
Aging is a concern with most lithium-ion batteries and 
many manufacturers remain silent about this issue. Some 
capacity deterioration is noticeable after one year, whether 
the battery is in use or not. 
Source: batteryuniversity.com
Lithium-ion Batteries
● Very low profile - batteries resembling the profile of 
a credit card are feasible.
● Flexible form factor - manufacturers are not bound 
by standard cell formats. With high volume, any 
reasonable size can be produced economically.
● Lightweight - gelled electrolytes enable simplified 
packaging by eliminating the metal shell.
● Improved safety - more resistant to overcharge; less 
chance for electrolyte leakage.
Source: batteryuniversity.com