Lithium-ion (Li-ion) Batteries

Lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries are a type of rechargeable batteries that have become very popular due to their high energy density, high voltage, and low self-discharge. They have a wide range of applications and are used in a variety of devices, including:

Portable electronics: Li-ion batteries are used in devices like smartphones, laptops, and tablets, as they are lightweight and provide long battery life.
Electric vehicles: Li-ion batteries are used to power electric vehicles due to their high energy density and the ability to store large amounts of energy.
Power tools: Li-ion batteries are used in cordless power tools as they are more efficient and lighter than traditional nickel-cadmium (NiCad) batteries.
Solar panels: Li-ion batteries are used in residential and commercial solar energy storage systems to store excess energy generated during the day for use at night.
Medical devices: Li-ion batteries are used in portable medical devices like heart monitors, blood glucose meters, and nebulizers.

The main source of Li-ion batteries is the lithium that is extracted from minerals such as spodumene, petalite, and lepidolite. The lithium is then processed to create lithium-ion battery cathodes and anodes, which are the main components of the battery. The cathode typically contains lithium cobalt oxide (LiCoO2), while the anode is made from carbon, such as graphite. The cathode and anode are separated by a separator and enclosed in a battery casing, which is then filled with an electrolyte solution to complete the battery.