Li-ion batteries: news, progress, history and background

This is insane! As a long term peer reviewer I read all articles (not only under review) very carefully. From relatively wide observation the only half of the submitted papers might be accepted for further publication. Not counting in this half the articles which need some (more or less) modifications. Indeed, there are almost half of the articles which went through my hands have a very low quality. These include repeating/copying someone else's research, very poor understanding of the obtained results, not willingness, even to try to explain the obtained results, but just referring to previously published articles (from other researchers)  (which means their result is not unique). Since I do not connect with the publishers other than by e-mail as a reviewer or author, I do not know how busy are Journals is to feel the issues. However, I understand that the publishers have to earn some money from what they are doing. Good it or not (very much) for the progress is a big question...

Article on Business Insider : Tesla Stock Is Tanking After A Third Model S In Two Months Catches Fire ( Mamta Badkar Nov. 7, 2013) A Tesla Model S car caught fire on Wednesday in Smyrna, Tennessee, according to Tesla Motors Club blog (via ValueWalk). This is the third Tesla to Model S vehicle to catch fire in the past six weeks, a Tesla spokesperson confirmed to Reuters. The driver of the vehicle was said to have sustained no injuries and a Tesla team is on its way to Tennessee to see what happened. Tesla again pointed out that the fire was the result of an accident and not  "spontaneous." @Nashvillian_ on Twitter posted this image : I-24 #tesla #teslafire pic.twitter.com/ia9tbftn4V — E (@NASHVILLAIN_) November 6, 2013 A Tesla Model S caught fire in Mexico back in October after the car crashed through a concrete wall and into a tree. Before that, another Model S caught fire after colliding with a large me...

Unlike dense ceramic coatings applied as a separate layer on competing separators, PPT’s products contain ceramic particles that are thoroughly distributed throughout their chemically inert PVDF polymer. The particles reside primarily in the pore walls, leaving a large and uniform open pore structure that enables ions to pass through with less resistance and less heat generation.  * More power in high-current applications  * Reduced separator shrinkage  * Increased thermal stability with less cell degradation  * Extended cycle life * Higher bake-out and operating temperatures  * Improved puncture and abuse resistance    Although, the application of such separator may improve safety, however according to presented test data it will have minimal effect, or not significant. Depends on battery package, it may have serious explosion (due to electrolyte flammability) at much lower temperature.  

Power bank battery dismantled and reviewed (backup battery for iPho ne produced in China) Before we start some explanation and disclaimer . Here is a short review, based on observations and simple calculation of one of "power bank" or backup battery for iPhone , which may be found in any shop. I did not intend to do this review simply because I did not buy that device and not going to buy such things in a future (ne ar future ). This example device I have got from my frie nd after its stoped working and actu ally the pla s tic shel l become opened (Fig. 2) . This is not a denunciation or exposure for certain product or certain manufacturer or certain country. I hope t his review will make you more skeptical and realistic about what you see and what you get. All dismantle and photos, as well calculation and conclusions done by me.   Although I dismantle Li -ion batteries (LIB) of any shape and size many times for many years since I have work with it for the l...

Teijin CNF Korea begins production of LIELSORT separators for Li-ion batteries : Teijin CNF Korea Co., Ltd., an Asan-based joint venture between Teijin and major Korean film processor CNF, has begun commercial production of LIELSORT, a Teijin-developed separator for lithium ion secondary batteries (LIBs). Of the two types of LIELSORT-branded separators, Teijin CNF Korea will initially produce one type coated with a fluorine-based compound that achieves superior adhesion to the polymer electrolyte and is highly resistant to oxidation, resulting in LIBs that offer higher output while maintaining stable high voltage. The company also plans to soon begin producing the second type, a highly heat-resistant separator coated with Teijinconex meta-aramid. As part of market expansion strategies for LIELSORT, Teijin has established a wholly owned subsidiary in Seoul called Teijin Electronics Korea Co., Ltd. to sell both separators. This production and sales network, which has close connecti...

Lithium's Prospects - Seeking Alpha : As gas prices reach a staggering $4 per gallon, with early predictions in the $5 range for summer, many consumers who have been reluctant might now be considering the electric alternatives to keep their wheels turning. Lithium-ion batteries, the technology in hybrid electric cars and consumer electronics, are just one part of the lithium market but could be where the most growth and potential lie. Lithium is used in a wide range of applications, from nuclear weapons to medicine. As of 2010, the most common use for lithium was as flux for glass and ceramics (29% of lithium usage in the USA), with the battery industry trailing closely (27%). The most notable use of lithium-ion batteries is in purely electric and hybrid electric vehicles, but lithium also powers cell-phones, iPods, iPads, laptop computers, and other consumer electronics. Some of its other uses can be seen in high-heat lubricating greases, air purification, certain optical devices...

Hydrocarbon polymer electrolyte membrane (Photo credit: SandiaLabs ) The highly heat-resistant separator coated with Teijinconex meta-aramid The new separator, which is coated with a fluorine-based compound, is designed for use in laminated-type LIBs. Such LIBs, which feature a gel polymer electrolyte, are used in tablets and smartphones. The new separator readily adheres to the polymer electrolyte and is highly resistant to oxidation, resulting in LIBs that offer greater safety, higher output and longer lifespans. The highly heat-resistant separator coated with Teijinconex meta-aramid maintains its shape even at 250℃. In spot heating tests, Teijin has verified that the separator does not break down even at 350℃. Also, thanks to the separator's superior resistance to oxidation, it enables unprecedented capacity and energy density for liquid-electrolyte cylindrical LIBs used in products including PCs and vehicles. These LIBs also achieve higher levels of safety and longer life...

GBL-based electrolyte for Li-ion battery: thermal and electrochemical performance   Journal of Solid State Electrochemistry: Volume 16, Issue 2 (2012), Page 603-615 Thermal stability, flammability, and electrochemical performances of the cyclic carbonate-based electrolytes [where γ-butyrolactone (GBL) is a main component (at least 50 vol.%) among of EC and PC with LiBF 4 ] have been examined in comparison with contemporary (EC/EMC, 1:3 vol.%, 1 M LiPF 6 ) electrolyte by DSC, accelerating rate calorimetry (ARC), AC impedance, and cyclic voltammetry (CV). This study shows that GBL-based electrolytes have perfect thermal stability and will improve Li-ion battery safety (including flammability) without performance trade-off with the accurate combination of active materials and separator. Several types of negative electrode materials (such as hard carbon, MCMB, and SWF) have been tested to evaluate GBL-based electrolyte influence on SEI formation and battery performanc...

According to DigiTimes Apple may increase battery capacity of upcoming high-end version of new iPad The battery capacity for the high-end version of Apple's new iPad - due to be unveiled in January 2012 - will be increased to 14,000mAH compared to 6,500mAH used currently, according to industry sources. Apple's battery suppliers Simplo Technology and Dynapack declined to comment on matters concerning clients. {Apple is set to unveil two versions of its next-generation tablet, one for the high-end segment and one for the mid-range segment, the sources said.}? Meanwhile, the penetration rate of lithium-polymer batteries such as those used in iPad 2 is expected to reach 15% in 2012 compared to 5% in 2011, the sources estimated. Global production of lithium-polymer battery cells will top 400 million units in 2011, and the prices of the cells are expected to remain higher in 2012 after being hiked by 20% in the second quarter of 2011, the sources indicat...

Disclosed is a separator. The separator includes a planar non-woven fabric substrate having a plurality of pores, and a porous coating layer formed on at least one surface of the non-woven fabric substrate. The porous coating layer is composed of a mixture of filler particles and a binder polymer. The filler particles include conductive positive temperature coefficient (PTC) particles composed of a mixture of conductive particles and a low melting point resin having a melting point lower than that of the non-woven fabric substrate. Due to the presence of the conductive PTC particles, the porous coating layer can be imparted with a shutdown function against thermal runaway. In addition, the porous coating layer exhibits appropriate electrical conductivity. Therefore, the separator is suitable for use in a high-capacity electrochemical device. Inventors: Pil-Kyu Park, Jong-Hun Kim, Soon-Ho Ahn, Je-Young Kim Original Assignee: LG CHEM, LTD. Application number: 13/173,902; Publication...

from Journal of Solid State Electrochemistry Abstract   Organic ionic plastic crystal (OIPC) electrolytes are among the key enabling materials for solid-state and higher than ambient temperature lithium batteries. This work overviews some of the parameter studies on the Li|OIPC interface using lithium symmetrical cells as well as the optimisation and performance of Li|OIPC|LiFePO 4 cells. The effects of temperature and electrolyte thickness on the cycle performance of the lithium symmetrical cell, particularly with respect to the interfacial and bulk resistances, are demonstrated. Whilst temperature change substantially alters both the interfacial and bulk resistance, changing the electrolyte thickness predominantly changes the bulk resistance only. In addition, an upper limit of the current density is demonstrated, above which irreversible processes related to electrolyte decomposition take place. Here, we demonstrate an excellent discharge capacity attained on LiFePO 4 |...

RSC - J. Mater. Chem. latest articles Nicola Pinna Seung-Ho Yu, Andrea Pucci, Tobias Herntrich, Marc-Georg Willinger, Seung-Hwan Baek, Yung-Eun Sung, Nicola Pinna A one-pot template-free solvothermal synthesis of crystalline Li 4 Ti 5 O 12   nanostructures based on the “benzyl alcohol route” is introduced. The 1–2 µm sized nanostructured spherical particles are constituted of nanocrystallites in the size range of a few nm. This is the first report showing that crystalline Li 4 Ti 5 O 12   can be directly obtained by soft chemistry solution routes. The as-synthesized crystalline nanostructures show good lithium intercalation/deintercalation performances at high rates (up to 30 C) and good cycling stabilities. Annealing the nanostructures at 750 °C improves the performance, which approaches the theoretical capacity of Li 4 Ti 5 O 12   with no noticeable (less than 5%) capacity loss after 200 cycles. (Paper from J. Mater. Chem.) Seung-Ho Yu, J. Mater. Chem., 2011, ...

There are disclosed electrolytes comprising solutions of lithium salts with large anions in polar aprotic solvents with a particular concentration of background salts. The concentration of the background salts is selected to be equal or close to the concentration of a saturated solution of these salts in the aprotic solvents used. The electrolytes disclosed can be used in chemical sources of electric energy such as secondary (rechargeable) cells and batteries comprising sulphur-based positive active materials. The use of such electrolytes increases cycling efficiency and cycle life of the cells and batteries. Inventors: Vladimir KOLOSNITSYN, Elena KARASEVA  Application number: 13/153,157 Publication number: US 2011/0236766 A1 Filing date: Jun 3, 2011 Fig. 1 Charge/discharge capacity fade of standard Li-S cell Fig. 9 Charge/discharge capacity fade of Li-S cell with a saturated electrolyte solution as 1.7M of LiClO4 in methylpropylsulfone @ 0.25C ch/dch Fast...

Recovered LiCoO2 as anode materials for Ni/Co power batteries : Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys. , 2012, Advance Article DOI : 10.1039/C1CP21936G, Communication Dawei Song, Yanan Xu, Cuihua An, Qinghong Wang, Yaping Wang, Li Li, Yijing Wang, Lifang Jiao, Huatang Yuan  Recovered LiCoO 2 material is investigated as anode materials for Ni/Co power batteries for the first time. To cite this article before page numbers are assigned, use the DOI form of citation above. The content of this RSS Feed (c) The Royal Society of Chemistry (Via RSC - Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys. latest articles ) Related articles Advanced Electrodes for Better Li-Ion Batteries (technologyreview.com) Advanced Electrodes for Better Li-Ion Batteries (technologyreview.in)