In the aerospace industry, lithium batteries are used to power a wide range of applications, including satellites, spacecraft, and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). The lightweight and high energy density of lithium batteries make them well-suited for use in space exploration and other aerospace applications, where every gram of weight matters.
To find promising alternatives to lithium batteries, it helps to consider what has made the lithium battery so popular in the first place. Some of the factors that make a good battery are lifespan, power, energy density, safety and affordability.
"Recycling a lithium-ion battery consumes more energy and resources than producing a new battery, explaining why only a small amount of lithium-ion batteries are recycled," says Aqsa Nazir, a postdoctoral research scholar at Florida International University's battery research laboratory.
Lithium-ion batteries have higher voltage than other types of batteries, meaning they can store more energy and discharge more power for high-energy uses like driving a car at high speeds or providing emergency backup power. Charging and recharging a battery wears it out, but lithium-ion batteries are also long-lasting.
Though rare, battery fires are also a legitimate concern. “Today's lithium-ion batteries are vastly more safe than those a generation ago,” says Chiang, with fewer than one in a million battery cells and less than 0.1% of battery packs failing. “Still, when there is a safety event, the results can be dramatic.”
Inside a lithium battery, copper rings are visible. Many metals are needed to construct a high-powered battery, but lithium and cobalt have emerged as two controversial ingredients. An assembly line inside a BMW factory in Germany produces electric vehicles powered by lithium batteries.