When we browse for batteries on the internet and in shops, we hope to balance longer life against affordable cost. Portable consumer goods added a third dimension because the pressure is always to go smaller. Sometimes this puts unreasonable pressure on lithium battery technology, as witness the Samsung Galaxy 7 recall.
Lithium generally comes out tops when it comes to longer life, although better quality always costs a little more. This greater density applies to single cycle disposable batteries, and rechargeable ones too. Since lithium technology emerged in the 1970’s, scientists have been continuously trying to develop even better ones.
Lithium Anodes at the Heart of Lithium Battery Technology
All batteries have three basic components. They are negative anodes, positive cathodes, and an electrolyte that separates them. The commonest lithium cells have anodes made from metallic lithium. However, the composition of the cathode varies considerably between them. We shall be discussing some interesting variations in the days that follow. First, let’s talk about lithium battery applications in the consumer / scientific world.
How Lithium Technology is Quietly Revolutionizing Our Lives
It follows that the greater density of single-cycle lithium batteries makes them ideal for scientific applications. Pacemakers and other implantable electronic medical devices rely of lithium batteries to make them unobtrusive. Rechargeable lithium battery technology in conjunction with solar helps our space probes fly deeper into space. It also helps our remote submersibles discover new marine life.
We have become so used to lithium battery technology we take it for granted in personal digital assistants, and watches. Not to mention our camcorders, digital cameras, thermometers, calculators, personal computers, communication equipment and remote car locks. They are also at the heart of many educational toys for children, so it would be difficult to imagine life without them.
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