The Interesting Thing About Lithium Batteries

The interesting thing about batteries is that you may create one from a potato. Or just a tomato. Or maybe a lemon or lime. In reality, any liquid or moist object that has enough ions to be electrically conductive can serve as the electrolyte for a cell. Essentially, you just have to add two electrodes made from different metals to the moist object and a chemical reaction occurs when the 2 metals react via the moist cell, aka: potato. Cool, huh? Of course, this kind of "battery" is of no real practical use except for possibly electricity a small clock for a very brief quantity of time.

A battery is essentially stored chemical energy that's converted into usable power when the battery terminals are connected via some material that can transfer(run) and allow both metals to react. Like Nickel and Cadmium at a NiCad battery life. Basically, the total amount of energy that you get (volts) depends upon how much "chemical reaction" you will get between the two metals. It is because of this that Lithium batteries would be the "latest and greatest" thing because powdered milk.

Lithium is a highly reactive alkali metal. Lithium will literally respond if left out in wet, open air. Combining together with the hydrogen in the water molecules in the air it will turn out of a whitish metal into some black tarnish before your eyes. That is why when lithium is stored in it's pristine state, in is kept under oil to keep it from responding. Lithium can also be highly flammable, so if it is already burning, throwing water on it's going to only allow it to burn more. Lithium metal has to be doused with specific chemicals to put out the flames. Lithium is also the lightest weight metal (number 3 to the Periodic Table of elements). Those two features, light weight and lots of potential energy, make Lithium a great metal to use in a battery.

Lithium's exceptionally reactive characteristic can also be a downside in the battery making business. Lithium batteries in computers have "ignited" because of the high reactivity. Dell Computers lately had a massive laptop battery recall (this really computer I am typing on has been affected). Lithium batteries give off a great deal of warmth and have been known to self-combust. The remember cost the industry megabucks but Lithium's benefits far outweigh it has disadvantages and Lithium cell technology is progressing at a fast pace. "In an interview with BusinessWeek on Feb. 16, Chief Executive Katsuaki Watanabe confirmed that Toyota's third-generation hybrid cars, due out in late 2008 or early 2009, will use lithium-ion batteries. Lighter and more powerful than the current nickel metal hydride packs, the new batteries will help make for more fuel-efficient hybrids. ... "We can develop the battery in time," he says. ... "We are now aiming at reducing, by half, both cost and size of this third-generation hybrids," says Watanabe."

For the majority of people using batteries, the lifetime of the battery is the most essential aspect. How long will it last before I must recharge/replace it? Fundamentally, disposable batteries, shed from 10-20 percent of the initial charge each year, more if kept at very substantial temperatures (battery life could be extended by storing them in a cool location). So the batteries which you purchase at the Dollar Store won't necessarily last that long; always check the manufacturers date on the batteries that you're seeking to buy.

Rechargeable batteries self-discharge more quickly than disposable batteries - around three percent per day. This speed can decrease in extreme temperatures so bear this in mind should you keep your rechargeable, battery-operated power tools/flashlights on your garage. Rechargeable batteries also degrade through use. Low capacity Nickel Metal Hydride(NiMH) and Nickel Cadmium(NiCad) rechargeable batteries for example can be billed for around 1000 cycles before pooping out on you. Generally a longer, slower charge (overnight) will lead to a longer battery lifespan.

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