Costs, lithium polymer batteries

The lithium polymer battery (LPB), shown schematically in Fig. 7.21, is an all-solid-state system which in its most common form combines a lithium ion conducting polymer separator with two lithium-reversible electrodes. The key component of these LPBs is the polymer electrolyte and extensive work has been devoted to its development. A polymer electrolyte should have (1) a high ionic conductivity (2) a lithium ion transport number approaching unity (to avoid concentration polarization) (3) negligible electronic conductivity (4) high chemical and electrochemical stability with respect to the electrode materials (5) good mechanical stability (6) low cost and (7) a benign chemical composition. 

In general the raw materials employed in the various forms of lithium polymer batteries can easily be obtained in larger quantities. The key areas will be the lithium metal foil and the active cathode material. Lithium metal foils are commercially available in a range of thicknesses down to 50 im. However, thin (< 30 pm) and wide (> 10 cm) foils will be very difficult to achieve at reasonable rates and low cost. Present lithium foil manufacturers are rising to the challenge [53] and several groups are exploring... 

The potential use of polymeric ion-exchange membranes in the next generation single-ion secondary lithium polymer batteries was shown by Sachan et al. [80, 81]. Conductivities exceeding 10 " S/cm with transference numbers of unity were achieved for Nafion converted to Li" salt form. However, little work has continued to introduce ion-exchange membranes in lithium batteries. The cost associated with the manufacturing of such membranes has been a significant barrier to their commercial viability. 

Lithium-ion [71-73] and lithium-ion polymer batteries [74] are commodity products in consumer applications, but are not yet ready for use in the harsh automotive environment. Although in an advanced state of development, the batteries are not expected to be ready for mass production for use in automotive applications in the near future. If limitations in calendar life at elevated temperature can be overcome and production costs can be lowered to an acceptable level, the lithium-ion battery may become a serious competitor to both AGM lead-acid and Ni-MH batteries, as the lithium-ion system combines the strengths of both these battery systems. 

The goal for this battery is to be a substitution for the valve-regulated lead-acid battery (VRLA) as a backup power supply of for telecommunication. Usually, the relay machines of the telecommunication structure are located in remote areas. The VRLA with its short life is inconvenient from a maintenance aspect. Avestor s lithium metal polymer battery drastically reduced the load and cost of the maintenance, because the life of their battery is over 10 years and is maintenance free. Further, the feature of the battery is that the condition of the battery itself can be monitored in remote settings. 

Decades ago, battery designers predicted that rechargeable lithium batteries using solid polymer as the electrolyte would yield better electrical performance and would do so at reasonably lower manufacturing costs. But the battery designers later realized that it is not easy to develop a rechargeable battery using an SPE,... 

Polymer lithium-ion batteries, or strictly called gel lithium-ion batteries, were first disclosed by the former Bellcore Company. However, the initial process had a low qualification rate, and the large-scale production cost was too high. In 1999, mass production started. The detail assembly process depends on the manufacturer. 

The cutoff voltage for the formation process of polymer lithium-ion batteries can be 3.7 V since it will not affect the electrochemical performance of the formed batteries. This can reduce the formation time, improve produchon efficiency, reduce energy consumption, and save costs. 

Reale P, Panero S, Scrosati B, Garche J, Wohlfahrt-Mehrens M, Wachtler M (2004) A safe, low-cost, and sustainable lithium-ion polymer battery. J Electrochem Soc 15LA2138—A2142... 

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