Lithium-ion batteries used to power equipment such as e-bikes and electric vehicles are increasingly linked to serious fires in workplaces and residential buildings, so it’s essential those in charge of such environments assess and control the risks. Lithium-ion batteries are now firmly part of daily life, both at home and in the workplace.
Lithium batteries are more popular today than ever before. You’ll find them in your cell phone, laptop computer, cordless power tools, and even electric vehicles. However, just because all of these electronics use lithium batteries doesn’t mean they use the same type of lithium batteries.
The rechargeable lithium-ion batteries have transformed portable electronics and are the technology of choice for electric vehicles. They also have a key role to play in enabling deeper penetration of intermittent renewable energy sources in power systems for a more sustainable future.
These materials have both good chemical stability and mechanical stability. 349 In particular, these materials have the potential to prevent dendrite growth, which is a major problem with some traditional liquid electrolyte-based Li-ion batteries.
It would be unwise to assume ‘conventional’ lithium-ion batteries are approaching the end of their era and so we discuss current strategies to improve the current and next generation systems, where a holistic approach will be needed to unlock higher energy density while also maintaining lifetime and safety.
Lithium-sulphur batteries are similar in composition to lithium-ion batteries – and, as the name suggests, they still use some lithium. The lithium is present in the battery's anode, and sulphur is used in the cathode. Lithium-ion batteries use rare earth minerals like nickel, manganese and cobalt (NMC) in their cathode.