Recent advances in lithium battery technology

Portable electronics such as cellular telephones and laptop computers have produced a surge in battery development and the introduction of rechargeable lithium battery systems. The most dramatic improvement in rechargeable battery technology was the introduction of the lithium-ion battery in 1990. Today, the sale of lithium-ion systems dominates the rechargeable battery market. The cell voltage for any battery system is determined by the selection of the anode and cathode materials, and the electrolyte determines the chemistry of the system and the rate of the electrode reactions. Applications of lithium batteries range from cardiac pacemakers to thermal batteries for military operations. Various types of lithium batteries are discussed. The next major improvement in lithium battery technology will likely be the use of solid polymer electrolytes that provide a truly all-solid-state battery.