Portable Lithium-Ion Battery Packs
Commonly used in cellphones, wireless headphones, handheld power tools, digital cameras, laptop computers and small appliances. They are also found in electric vehicles and electrical energy storage systems.
They offer a high power-to-weight ratio, have good high-temperature performance and low self-discharge. However, they are vulnerable to thermal runaway and pose a safety risk when not properly handled.
Weight
Unlike lead-acid batteries, portable lithium-ion battery packs are much lighter in weight. This makes them the perfect choice for travelers who want to power their electronic devices on the go. They are also ideal for camping trips and other outdoor activities where they can be Portable lithium-ion battery used to keep the power running on appliances like coolers or mobile phones. When choosing a portable lithium-ion battery, look for one that is lightweight and offers LED indicators to let you know when it’s time to recharge, as well as safety features like overcharge protection and short circuit protection.
In addition, it is important to note that while lithium batteries can store significant amounts of energy in a small space, they are considered dangerous goods and must be shipped as such. This is due to the possibility that the batteries could overheat or even catch fire, which can pose a serious hazard to airplane passengers and crew members. As such, airlines and regulatory bodies have established guidelines regarding the transportation of these batteries, including requirements for proper packaging.
To protect yourself, make sure that the batteries are stored properly in your luggage, and never pack them in checked baggage. Check with your airline for their specific rules and regulations. For instance, the FAA allows passengers to bring up to two spare larger lithium batteries (101-160 watt hours) on flights if they are for personal use only and do not contain any other battery types.
Voltage
Lithium-ion batteries offer one of the best energy-to-weight ratios of any rechargeable battery, and they also feature high power density, good high-temperature performance, and low self-discharge. They are commonly found in consumer electronics like cell phones, laptops, digital cameras and MP3 players, but they’re also used for specialty applications such as hybrid cars and military craft.
Li-ion battery technology is based on the chemistry of lithium cobalt oxide and graphite, but there are a number of different formulations that use alternative cathode and anode materials. In order to prevent a short circuit between the anode and cathode, the two electrodes are separated by a porous sandwich of layered plastics called a separator. The anode is typically made of carbon, while the cathode is often made of a metal such as nickel, manganese or cobalt. The separator is permeable, allowing the positive lithium ions to migrate from the anode through it to the cathode during discharging. The cathode is then bombarded by negative electrons, which are pulled away from the cathode by the magnetic field of the separator and converted to electricity by our battery’s charger.
A lithium battery should never be allowed to drop below its minimum voltage, 3.6V for classic 3.7V cells, or 4.2V for the newer phosphate and lithium-titanate battery chemistries. This can cause the battery to be permanently damaged or create a fire hazard in the case of the latter chemistries.
Energy Capacity
Lithium ion batteries provide the highest energy density among rechargeable battery types. This high energy capacity allows for small sizes with a very large amount of power. Depending on the application, lithium batteries offer an excellent cycle life, good high-temperature performance and low self-discharge rate.
They are available in slab or block battery-pack form, a common format for notebook computers and portable power devices. They are also in the cylindrical shape of AAA, AA, C or D cells (used in many digital cameras, most e-bike batteries, GPS sport watches and some headlamps). They can be charged at a variety of voltages, making them an attractive option for solar charging.
The battery cell consists of negative (anode) and positive (cathode) electrodes, a separator that is porous to allow for ions transport between electrodes, and an electrolyte. The anode electrode is made of graphite, which possesses specific capacity of 372 mAh/g through the intercalation of lithium between stacked graphene layers.
The energy capacity of a lithium battery can be determined by multiplying the cumulative discharge (total discharge) times the rated nominal voltage of the battery. This gives the total watt hours of the battery. The battery can be considered fully charged at a voltage peak of about 70 percent. A higher current during Stage 1 of charging will hasten the voltage peak but will take longer to reach full charge saturation.
Maintenance
Lithium-ion batteries offer one of the highest energy densities of any rechargeable battery technology. They also have low maintenance needs. They do not require scheduled cycling to maintain their life span and do not sulk when not being used, like traditional nickel-cadmium or nickel-metal hydride batteries.
However, like all rechargeable batteries, lithium-ion batteries can overheat and burn under certain conditions. This poses a significant fire hazard on planes and may cause injuries to passengers. It’s important to follow strict airline and FAA guidelines for bringing lithium batteries on flights.
The cobalt used in lithium batteries is highly reactive and under stress, such as overheating or exposure to extreme heat, it can enter Portable lithium-ion battery a dangerous state called thermal runaway. The stress-triggered reaction releases heat, which causes the battery to overheat even more, creating a vicious cycle that can result in an explosive meltdown. Battery-related fires can be difficult to extinguish in a cabin environment and can cause smoke inhalation, chemical burns, property damage and death.
To prevent these hazards, always remove a battery from its device prior to packing it for travel. This spares the battery from exerting a tiny drain on its power reserves by the device and prevents the device from accidentally activating the battery’s internal safety mechanisms and entering thermal runaway. Additionally, never pack batteries where they might be exposed to water or metal objects that could sulk or interfere with the battery’s polarity.
