Lithium ion batteries have a high energy density, which means that they can provide a lot of power for their size. Because of this and the fact that they can take on unusual shapes and still be effective, lithium ion batteries are ideal for devices such as cell phones, laptops and iPods. The ability to be able to recharge a lithium ion battery is the main reason why they are chosen to power such devices.
Chemical reactions take place within the battery, or cell, which move lithium ions from one part of the battery to another and create an electric current. A cell's anode is located in one part of the cell while the cathode is located in another. The electrolyte separates these two components assuring they do not come in contact with each other.
Work on the lithium battery began in 1912 and the first nonrechargeable lithium battery was introduced in the 1970s. Unfortunately, lithium metal is unstable, so it was not a good material to use in a rechargeable battery. Attention shifted to find out a way to create a rechargeable battery using nonmetallic lithium. Lithium ion does not have as high of an energy density as metallic lithium, but it is much safer to use. The very first lithium ion battery was created by Sony in 1991.
One of the biggest advantages to lithium ion batteries is that they are rechargeable, however, capacity diminishes after every charge. This type of battery is also traditionally lighter than other types of batteries offering the same power. Lithium ion batteries have a much higher capacity than many other batteries such as nickel-metal hydride and lead-acid batteries.
The biggest flaw in lithium ion technology is that batteries begin to degrade immediately after production. A lithium ion battery will be ineffective about three years after it is produced. This type of battery will also degrade quickly if exposed to high temperatures. Lithium ion batteries are costly to produce, which means the consumer will pay more for this type of battery compared to others. One frightening disadvantage is that lithium ion batteries can burst into flames in rare cases.