promise of lithium batteries - lithium iron battery
Lithium (Li)
The lightest metal we know is part of a dream.
It is part of sensor batteries in mobile phones, medical devices, laptops, cars, defense devices and aircraft.
Bolivia's dream is to build its economy on its Li deposits. But is lithium-
"Dream extension" for ion batteries "? Li-
Ion batteries appeared in the news after two accidents on the Boeing 787 Dreamliner.
A plane parked at the airport caught fire and another was found after taking offoff.
The Federal Aviation Administration issued a directive to stop the aircraft and the National Transportation Safety Commission is conducting a comprehensive investigation.
Other countries, including India, have followed suit, stopping the aircraft with huge economic losses. Li-
The ion battery is reliable and has a failure rate of 1 out of 10 million batteries.
However, a fire and equipment recall did occur due to a battery failure.
A battery contains several batteries.
Each battery consists of a separator, electrolyte and current collector between the cathode, anode and both.
The battery generates power due to the movement of Li-ions.
The anode is graphite containing Li.
Typical cathode (
And the one used in the dream battery)
It is composed of lithium cobalt oxide.
The electrolyte contains lithium salt in an organic solvent, which is flammable.
This is because Li reacted violently with water. Li-
The ion battery provides high power per volume or weight to quickly start the jet engine.
It offers 250
340 W/kg compared to 150 W/kg nickelcadmium (Ni-Cd)battery.
Because its energy density is 250-
620 watt hours per liter compared to 50
Ni-150 watt hours per literCd.
But how can we make it safer?
Let's analyze the role of each component in the cell and how the cell is assembled.
Energy is produced by cells due to the movement of Li-
Ions from the anode to the cathode pass through the electrolyte and the separator as a micron-thickness polymer.
Safer cathode such as lithium manganese oxide and lithium iron phosphate, but lower voltage and energy density.
We combine quantum mechanics theory with data mining at the Center for Science, Technology and Policy Research to predict cathode compounds with high pressure (>4. 5V).
In general, the oxidation strength of the high-pressure cathode is high, which means poor safety.
The key is to find compounds that can inhibit this trend.
There are many factors that lead to a short circuit, resulting in a higher temperature of the battery and an ignition of the electrolyte.
Contaminants in the manufacturing process form a short circuit between electrodes.
Overcharging can lead to a reaction between the cathode and the electrolyte, resulting in a gas heat out of control.
It can drive more ions from the cathode to the anode, resulting in lithium metal plating.
Too much lithium can make the needle
Make the electrode shorter like a branch crystal.
Recent amorphous Nano
To solve this problem, the anode is considering Silicon.
There are many ways to turn off the battery when it is heated.
In one method, a polyethylene with a melting point of 135 °c is inserted between two-layer separators.
When the temperature rises to this value, the polyethylene melts and closes the holes in the separator, thus preventing the movement of the lithium ion and the battery stops. Non-
Flammable ionic liquid electrolyte can be used.
Dreamliner is the most charged aircraft using 28 batteries. 5 kg each.
In each battery, eight batteries are packed in a sealed metal box.
Some experts suggest using a large number of small batteries with space in the middle so that fire does not spread to others in the domino effect.
The other steps expected are the use of ceramic materials and special steel for casing insulation of each battery.
Airbus found it prudent to use Ni-to meet its delivery schedule
Continue with Li-
In the trial run.
Methods involving nano-materials may lead to a whole new system.
The role of the battery is not just transportation.
The sun is not always shining, and the wind is not always blowing, and energy storage is critical to renewable energy and the low-carbon world.
As the battery continues to improve, lithium may contribute to the economy rather than the dream.