lithium-ion

Among the various components involved in a lithium-ion cell, cathodes (the positive or oxidizing electrodes) currently limit the energy density and dominate the battery cost. Today’s common cobalt (Co) and manganese (Mn) based cathodes were developed to overcome safety concerns with Li-metal anodes. This FAQ begins with a brief look at the longer-term trajectory of…

Battery cells, modules, and systems support many electronic, transportation, and energy applications. This article briefly reviews the operation of rechargeable batteries and looks at the energy storage value chain; it then presents common battery cell formats and how battery cells are assembled into modules and systems, reviews the development of multi-function structural battery packs, and…

Examine a toy with a rechargeable battery and you are likely to find a lithium-polymer cell powering the works. But a new kind of battery architecture called lithium-metal is getting a lot of attention these days because it has a capacity and energy density potentially far exceeding that of lithium-polymer versions. Lithium-metal batteries use lithium…

Using energy harvesting and a rechargeable battery to power a remote wireless IoT node seems like an obvious and straightforward solution, but there are some unique aspects to consider. Don’t get me wrong: I really like rechargeable batteries; in fact, I like them a lot. Whether based on lead-acid, nickel-cadmium, lithium-ion, or other chemistry, our […]

Lithium-ion batteries are a popular type of rechargeable battery which stores energy in lithium ions. They typically have a lithium metal oxide cathode and a graphite anode, separated by a thin layer of lithium salt solution acting as the electrolyte. Different battery chemistries use different cathode, anode, and electrolyte materials to change the battery’s performance.…

electroVolt announces its new PRISLogic Lithium-Iron Phosphate (LiFePO4) batteries. Engineered for safety and reliability, the PRISLogic prismatic cells provide the highest level of performance without the cost, complexity, and lead time of a custom-built solution. Designed to support a variety of specialized applications, including telecommunications, data center backup, material handling, and unmanned systems, the 12.8v PRISLogic modules are […]

There are many sizes of cylindrical lithium-ion (Li-ion) cells, and the number of sizes continues to grow. Some are optimized for use in simple devices such as toys and flashlights; others are mainly found powering portable electronics and electric vehicles. This FAQ begins by reviewing the broad landscape of cylindrical Li-ions, including protected and non-protected…

A group of researchers at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology have come up with a coin cell that uses lead-free, bismuth-based, all-inorganic halide perovskite as an anode which also incorporates a photovoltaic cell to recharge itself. Writing in the June 2021 journal Nano Letters, the group says they developed a perovskite that…

The world’s largest lithium-based energy storage facility has just gotten a little bigger. Construction of Phase II of the Moss Landing Energy Storage Facility in California is now complete, adding 100 MW/400 MWh to the site, which now reaches 400 MW/1,600 MWh in total. “This facility provides a solution California desperately needs and this expansion was…

The electrolyte in a battery is the substance that allows electrical current to flow between the anode and the cathode. Electrolytes may be fluids or solids. Soluble salts, acids, and bases can generally act as electrolytes. While current flows through a metallic conductor in the form of lone electrons, within an electrolyte current flows in…