Lithium-ion battery technology was first developed the in the early nineties, but it is far from a technology that has had its day. In fact, the precise opposite is true, and it is actually only in recent years that the true potential of lithium-ion battery technology has been realized. Lithium-ion batteries are now standard for portable electronic devices such as smartphones and tablets, bringing to bear the many advantages that come with the technology – advantages such as massively increased charge capacity, significantly reduced degradation, and thereby longer lifespan and many more charge cycles. Lithium-ion is also the battery technology that is powering the electric car revolution, with most of today’s electric vehicles making use of it. Tesla is even at work on a massive “gigafactory” for the purposes of churning out enough to lithium-ion car batteries to ensure a plentiful supply when all drivers have eventually moved over (and that’s a day coming soon).
Yet lithium-ion is not just restricted to electric vehicles and portable electronic devices. In fact, the technology is seeing a broad application now in many household products, one the most successful being lithium-ion rechargeable batteries. And the progress of this particular technology has been one of constant refinement and development, with a specifically influential development being the development of USB rechargeable batteries, such as those produced by Utah-based company Pale Blue Earth. These combine the efficiency of the lithium-ion cell with the mass adaptability that comes with USB technology.
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Mass-Adaptability
As you might expect then, an increase in the adaptability of this technology has led to many more potential uses for lithium-ion rechargeable batteries. Indeed, lithium-ion batteries are not only on the way to making older lead-acid rechargeable batteries obsolete, but they are also finding uses in certain areas where battery technology has never before been a major player.
Top Uses
So, you have just bought a set of super long-lasting and highly efficient lithium-ion rechargeable batteries. You might expect to simply use them as you did those old lead-acid rechargeables. However, they can do so much more – and here are some of the top applications:
Emergency Power Back-up
Lithium-ion batteries are often used for emergency power back-up in the event of a mains shortage or some other sudden loss of power. The advantage that this technology has over traditional generators is that the power can be delivered instantly, with the switchover being so seamless that the technology connected to it will not lose power for long enough to switch off.
Increased Freedom with Mobility Equipment
Generally speaking, lithium-ion rechargeable batteries offer a big advantage when it comes to size and portability. This advantage has a particularly useful application in the world of disability mobility equipment such as wheelchairs and stairlifts. The short charging times and energy efficiency ensure reliable power while the compact size allows for easy upgrades of mobility equipment and a greater potential for personal customization.
Portable Power with No Downtime
Lithium-ion batteries can be used to provide a high-quality power supply in a pinch – and in any conditions. Lithium-ion batteries are much more resistant to the depredations of temperature extremes and vigorous movement. This simply means that they can come to the rescue in the most extreme conditions while still offering a guarantee of reliable power.
Research into battery technology has, at no time in history, been more broadly supported and better funded than it is today. It is precisely for this reason that so many great new battery products are being produced. It is also for this reason that we are seeing batteries used in far more diverse applications than we ever have before.
