According to an article on CrunchGear, lithium-ion batteries are about to get a lot better. Eamex, a Japanese research and development firm, claims to have found a new way to increase the typical average life of high-capacity lithium-ion batteries. Eamex’s new technology will allow the demanding batteries to sustain over 10,000 recharges over the course of 20 years. This is about a 10-fold increase over current batteries which last around 1000 charge cycles. The implications are staggering, from tech-solutions like laptops, to cars, power tools, and even medical solutions.
According to the article:
This rather dramatic increase in performance is made possible by new techniques such as a stabilization process of the battery’s electrodes, which in-turn puts less stress on the battery’s tin. This maintains the bonding of particles for a longer period of time and reduces the overall deterioration process. The result is a battery that lasts up to 10 times as long as most current batteries.
The reason everyone is so upbeat about lithium-ion batteries is because, unlike NiCd batteries or NiMH batteries, they hold their charge when not in use, so that months later when you pick up that 12V compact driver, it’s ready to go. They also have a high energy-to-weight ratio, making tools lighter and more powerful.
Eamex’s technology is currently designed with heavy-duty batteries in mind, such as those used in electric vehicles. But rest assured, the same principles will eventually find there way into tools and consumer electronics. Since tools have a higher demand in terms of power requirements, they are sure to be next on the list of applications.
The advantages are almost endless. Beyond the obvious increase in battery life extended life lithium-ion would mean lower costs over time and reduced waste. This is the kind of news we can sink our teeth into and we can’t wait to hear more about this tech showing up in shipping products. I can hear the marketing now, and “Lifetime battery guarantee!” sounds pretty good to me.
