Lithium-ion batteries are the dominant battery technology in the consumer electronics industry, according to Duke University. They keep cell phones and laptop computers running, and are also used to power many cordless hand tools. As technology improves, the use of lithium-ion batteries will likely expand further, due to the many advantages they offer over other types of batteries.
High Energy Density
Lithium-ion batteries have nearly twice the energy density of traditional nickel cadmium batteries, writes Isidor Buchmann, CEO of Cadex Electronics, for Battery University. This means that these batteries carry more power in a smaller unit, helping to reduce overall weight and size. This feature has important implications for cell phones and computers, because it makes these items more portable for consumers. Because of their small size and weight, lithium-ion batteries also make power tools easier to use, and allows workers to use them more efficiently, for longer periods of time.
It's important to note, however, that higher energy density doesn't automatically equate to more power. An 18-volt lithium-ion battery offers the same level of power as an 18-volt nickel-cadmium battery, for instance. But because they pack more power in a smaller size, lithium-ion allows manufacturers to produce more powerful, higher voltage batteries that weigh the same and take up the same amount of space as less powerful nickel-cadmium units.
High Efficiency Rating
According to the Electricity Storage Association (ESA), lithium-ion batteries offer nearly 100% efficiency --- meaning they are able to convert nearly 100% of the energy they consume into usable power within the battery. Virtually none of the power they draw is lost or wasted in the form of heat. Unlike many other types of batteries, lithium-ion units stay cool, which may help prolong the life of the battery, and the electronic equipment they are used to power. High efficiency ratings also mean these batteries can reduce your impact on the environment, as well as your consumption of fossil fuels.
Long Life and Low Maintenance
One of the most commonly cited problems with traditional nickel-cadmium batteries is the confusion over their maintenance requirements, and how lack of maintenance can shorten battery life. According to Cadex Electronics CEO Isidor Buchmann, lithium-ion batteries have no memory, which means there is no need to perform periodic maintenance. Allowing the battery to fully drain periodically will not help extend its life, and no special charging patterns are required when these batteries are used for the first time. Even when the battery is left unused for an extended period, it won't lose its charge. These batteries have roughly half the self-discharge rate of nickel cadmium, Buchmann adds.
The ESA also emphasizes the relatively long expected life for lithium-ion. According to the ESA, the average lithium-ion battery will last around 3,000 charge cycles at an 80% discharge rate. Of course, exact life span can vary widely depending on usage and battery model.
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