Whether it is smartphones, electric cars or daily consumer electronics, lithium-ion batteries are indispensable. It is not accidental that lithium-ion batteries are quietly changing our lives. The reason why lithium-ion batteries can dominate the market is that they have a series of significant advantages. In this article, we will analyze these key advantages in depth and reveal the secrets of their becoming the darling of modern technology.
High energy density is one of the core advantages of lithium-ion batteries. The power of lithium-ion batteries lies in that they can hold more energy than many traditional batteries (nickel-cadmium or nickel-metal hydride) in the same volume or weight.
It allows your device to be thinner and smaller. Our smartphones can be so thin and our headphones can be so small, but they can still provide good battery life. Because lithium batteries store energy very efficiently, there is no need for bulky batteries, helping you create ergonomic products.
If your device has a fixed size battery compartment, switching to a modern lithium-ion battery can extend your usage time and reduce the need to recharge frequently.
High operating voltage
The nominal voltage of a single lithium-ion cell is around 3.7V, much higher than traditional nickel-cadmium (NiCd) or nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) batteries (usually 1.2V).
Many electronic devices require a higher voltage than a single battery can provide. For example, a device that requires about 12V may need 10 NiMH batteries in series (1.2V x 10 = 12V), while a Li-ion battery may only require 3 (3.7V x 3 ≈ 11.1V) or 4 (3.7V x 4 ≈ 14.8V) batteries in series to achieve the required voltage.
With fewer cells, the entire battery pack can be made much smaller and lighter. This explains why today’s power tools and laptops are so portable. At the same time, it can provide powerful power.
No memory effect
Old batteries in the past (like NiCad) do have a memory effect, whereby such batteries are always charged without being fully discharged, and they seem to remember this partial discharge capacity point, causing the actual available capacity of the battery to gradually decrease, resulting in the battery being neither fully charged nor fully discharged.
Now, lithium-ion batteries have no memory effect. Whether you plug in to charge when the battery is 90% full or charge it at 10%, it will not have a significant adverse effect on the maximum capacity of the battery. It can bring great convenience, allowing you to charge at any time without waiting, and reducing your anxiety about use.
Lightweight
Lithium-ion batteries are much lighter than many traditional batteries (such as lead-acid batteries, nickel-cadmium or nickel-metal hydride batteries) when storing the same amount of energy, thanks to the lightweight properties of lithium itself and the efficient energy storage chemical mechanism inside the battery. The reduction in battery weight gives you greater flexibility and allows you to design a more beautiful appearance without sacrificing battery life.
For electric vehicles or bicycles, lightweighting can directly reduce the weight of the entire vehicle and reduce energy consumption during driving, thereby achieving a longer driving range with the same amount of electricity.
Improving payload capacity and flight time, every gram of weight is critical for aircraft. Lighter batteries mean more payload can be carried.
Low self-discharge rate
Lithium batteries also have a significant advantage, very low self-discharge. Traditional lead-acid batteries lose 10% or more of their power in a month, while lithium-ion batteries only lose 1% to 3% of their power per month under ideal storage conditions.
Lithium batteries ensure that they still retain most of their charge and are ready for use even after being stored for months or even longer.
From production, transportation to sales, lithium battery products can be stored in warehouses or store shelves for a longer period of time and will not fail due to excessive power loss, ensuring that consumers receive products in good condition.
You don’t need to frequently charge devices that are not used for a long time to maintain power, reducing the trouble of maintenance.
The self-discharge rate will be affected by environmental factors such as temperature, and it is recommended to store the battery at around 40%-60%.
Size flexibility
Lithium batteries can be made into very thin sheets, with a thickness of less than 1 mm, which is indispensable for smartphones, tablets and ultrabooks that pursue extreme lightness and thinness.
For smart bracelets and watches with curved surfaces, lithium polymer batteries can be designed into complex shapes such as curved, arc, and L-shaped, so as to truly make use of every available space and maximize battery capacity.
Lithium batteries also come in a variety of standardized cylindrical (such as 18650, 21700) and square sizes to meet the different power and capacity requirements of devices such as electric wheelchairs, electric vehicles, and energy storage systems.
You are no longer limited to the rigid shapes of traditional batteries and can be more adventurous in industrial design to create more unique appearances.
Conclusion
Today’s lithium batteries have the advantages of small size, high energy, low self-discharge, and changeable shapes, which greatly improves the performance and convenience of electronic devices. If you have any lithium battery needs, contact us to get the best solution.
