What is the best battery technology?
Batteries are a key component of portable devices and stationary applications. The demand for energy sources is continuously increasing, and batteries must meet ever-higher requirements.
The quest for lighter, more efficient, and powerful batteries with reduced production costs has become a significant challenge to support the ongoing energy transition.
Since the invention of the first electric cells, many types of batteries have been developed. To replace traditional lead-acid and Nickel-Cadmium accumulators, new batteries such as Nickel-Metal Hydride and lithium-ion batteries have emerged. These different battery types are composed of a positive electrode and a negative electrode immersed in an electrolyte. Each battery technology has unique characteristics in terms of power, energy storage capacity, and the number of charge-discharge cycles.
Different types of batteries
Lead-acid batteries
The lead-acid battery was the first rechargeable battery, invented in 1859 by a Frenchman. It consists of a lead plate and a lead dioxide plate immersed in a sulfuric acid solution. Lead-acid batteries have a poor mass-to-energy ratio but offer the advantage of delivering high intensity. They are suitable for vehicle starters and have a significant memory effect. However, these batteries are sensitive to cold, which reduces their capacity. Lead-acid batteries are being phased out in favor of less polluting technologies.
Nickel-cadmium batteries (Ni-Cd)
Ni-Cd batteries were the first alternative technology to lead-acid batteries. They consist of a cadmium-based cathode and a nickel anode immersed in an alkaline solution. Ni-Cd batteries offer greater capacity than lead-acid batteries and have a longer lifespan. However, they have not been marketed since 2006 due to their toxicity. These batteries have been replaced by Nickel-Metal Hydride batteries.
Nickel-metal hydride batteries (Ni-MH)
This technology has been available since the 1990s to power consumer devices. Ni-MH batteries use metallic hydride and nickel oxyhydroxide for their electrodes. They offer better performance than Ni-Cd batteries and deliver at least 30% more energy. This technology can power electric vehicles, portable tools, backup power systems, and more. Ni-MH batteries handle high currents well and are less affected by the memory effect but have a relatively short lifespan in terms of cycles.
Lithium-polymer batteries (LiPo)
Lithium-polymer batteries are a type of lithium-ion battery that uses a gel-based electrolyte (gelified polymer) instead of a liquid electrolyte (liquid lithium salts and solvents). This improves ion circulation between electrodes.
This technology allows manufacturers to create compact, flexible, and varied battery shapes, supporting diverse designs. Unlike lithium-ion batteries, LiPo batteries do not have a rigid casing, which reduces their weight by 20%. LiPo batteries are lightweight and can withstand many cycles. However, charging them requires strict protocols.
Lithium-ion batteries (Li-ion)
Lithium-ion batteries were first commercialized by Sony in the early 1990s and have since revolutionized the electronics market. They dominate the energy market, replacing lead-acid and Ni-Cd batteries. Lithium-ion technology offers the highest energy density. These batteries have a high storage capacity, storing three to four times more energy than other technologies. They are lightweight, exhibit low self-discharge, and support numerous charge-discharge cycles.
At Batteries Prod, we use lithium-ion technology to offer high-quality, custom-made batteries tailored to your needs. Our batteries are manufactured in France using Samsung and LG cells.
Next-generation batteries
Lithium-ion batteries are prevalent in global markets for portable applications. However, they have technological limitations when addressing the growing demand for energy storage for the energy transition and electric vehicles.
Recent years have been marked by abundant and innovative research into materials and concepts, leading to the emergence of new batteries. Research focuses on electrochemical systems that are lighter, more powerful, and economical. These include Lithium-Sulfur batteries, solid-state lithium-ion batteries, and lithium-air batteries, which we discussed in previous articles. Although their development is lengthy and uncertain, lithium-based batteries will continue to dominate the energy market for the foreseeable future.