Lithium-ion batteries are the latest advancement in the quest for more force in a smaller package. Though they do have their drawbacks, lithium-ion batteries are safer and more energy-dense than ever before. Their popularity has skyrocketed as new uses for batteries develop. In addition to the above-mentioned benefits, the demand for lithium-ion batteries continues to rise. In this article, we will explore three recent advancements in the battery industry.
The invention of lithium-ion batteries changed our world forever. In the 1970s, British chemist M. Stanley Whittingham proposed the use of lithium batteries as an energy storage method. The innovation changed the communications and transport history of the world. Today, lithium-ion batteries power everything from sleek laptops to super-thin cell phones. Lithium-ion batteries even power satellites.
Several developments in battery technology made life easier for both consumers and businesses. The invention of electric motors and dedicated starter motors revolutionised the automobile industry. Battery-powered portable radios became ubiquitous, and factories began mass-producing pocket calculators, flashlights, and boom boxes. Nickel has been widely used in battery production for many years. For more details on Electroless Nickel Coating, visit www.poeton.co.uk/standard-treatments/electroless-nickel-plating
The standard construction of a battery is a combination of two metals with different chemical potentials and a porous insulator. The basic cells produce voltages between 1.0 to 3.6V. Further stacking the cells in series or parallel increases voltage and currents. Eventually, these batteries can reach Megawatt-sizes. However, the size of these batteries can pose a limit to their advancement. So, it is important to understand the chemistry behind batteries before making a purchase.
The first commercially useful batteries were developed by scientists in the late 1800s. These were known as “wet cells.” Their design included metallic electrodes and a liquid electrolyte. The electrodes had to be replaced periodically in order to maintain their charge. Although they were not portable, early wet cells were used in telephone and telegraph systems. Early electric cars used semi-sealed versions of these batteries.
The use of lithium-ion batteries in electric vehicles is growing. The technology has helped a variety of applications. In the UK, for instance, the government has pledged to ban petrol and diesel cars by 2030. Fuel shortages have only further spurred demand for electric vehicles. According to the Faraday Institute, EV battery production will grow to 75,000 tonnes by 2035, which is about 5% of current production. The battery market is also expected to triple in value by 2025.
The growth of electric vehicles and battery-powered power systems has fuelled the need for effective energy storage. Batteries have the potential to help transition the world to a renewable power system. But they must be matched with collaborative action and a more sustainable value chain.
