Lithium batteries are getting the upper hand now, and we can find very good reasons for the fact that they have won against the good old alkaline battery. They are able to last as long as more than twice than alkaline batteries which means they are of a much better value for money.
Of course, Polymer Lithium ion Batteries are slightly more expensive than alkaline batteries, but this price comes at a distinct advantage which means you can make your appliance last for a much longer time than usual. The length of this time can sometimes reach 3 to 5 times of the predicted use time. Lithium batteries are so popular and the followings of this article will be dedicated to the discussion of some of the great features of lithium batteries and the reason why they are taking over the electronic mobile world.
First, what is the difference between NI-MH Batteries and other batteries? Lithium batteries use lithium metal or compounds as the anode and this anode can produce over 4.0 voltages of elctricity. This is much more than zinc carbon batteries and alkaline batteries. For consumers, the most common lithium batteries they have seen are those that use a metallic lithium as the anode and the cathode is placed in the hands of manganese dioxide. Salt of lithium is dissolved in the battery in an organic solvent. Because they are of high energy density, these batteries have been applied in many long life, low drain critical devices for both consumers and the medical industries.The fact that the medical industry has seen great success in switching their pace makers over to using lithium batteries is a case in point.
Lithium batteries are the best example of the above technology for they are able to power devices like PDA, watches, calculators, small computers and remotes. And they can be used quite effectively over a long time. The high energy density of lithium batteries and their energy to weight ratio makes it an excellent choice for appliances which are expected to run for long time. And with these batteries you need not to worry about swapping or constantly charging the battery.
The most common lithium battery is the small Lifepo4 Battery. They look like a coin. They are made up of lithium and manganese and are about 20 mm in diameter. Lithium batteries are also great for quick drain high energy devices such as digital cameras, because they can maintain a higher voltage for a longer period of time. Their recharge times are also shorter than alkaline rechargeable batteries.
Many major manufacturers have set foot in improving the lithium technology and extend the life of the battery to longer periods and shorter recharge times. As appliances get more and more complicated these years, these great lithium batteries need to adapt themselves as well. In order to extend the life of the battery even further, people use more complex chemical combinations and new space aged metals in lithium technology these days.