Based on The vigorous development of hybrid and electric cars, the name of Lithium-ion batteries are also more familiar to us. The Batteries are often abbreviated as "Li-ion" is considered most appropriate for the resources of pure electric cars and hybrid (motor fuel and electricity).
The appeal of Li-ion than others, such as NiMH (Nickel Metal Hydride) and NiCad (Nickel Cadmium) and lead (lead)-can be replenished quickly.it is more storage density, and it is also more power. Greatest appeal of the batteries is the ratio of the weight and the energy it produces, Li-ion is also superior. In addition, he has no memory effect. Last nature allows Li-ion to be filled anytime!
Actually, Li-Ion is not only used in electric or hybrid cars, but it has been used in electronic equipment so that we use familiar everyday, including laptops, iPods, mobile phones, MP3 players, PDAs, and Black Berry.
Lithium-Ion vs Lithium
Li-ion addition revealed, there are also battery called lithium. The last type is a battery in which it is generally not rechargeable or disposable simply run out, while Li-ion is just the opposite.
Another difference from the two batteries is pointed out, it is called lithium initially it is the basic material. Lithium uses pure metal, while the Li-ion lithium mixture is much more stable and can be recharged several hundred times.
Another advantage of Li-ion is the ability to store energy much longer when it is not in use, while other species will be depleted faster. Even so, it does not mean Li-ion has no weaknesses. The main problem with these batteries. it is about safety: flammable or explosive. That especially happens if the handling is poor. That could happen because the materials used is easy to heat.
The main components
Three main components of Li-ion is the anode, cathode, and electrolyte made of various materials. That are commercially and widely used as the anode is graphite. The cathode is typically one of the following three materials, including oxide layer namely lithium cobalt oxide, lithium iron phosphate, namely lithium manganesse oxide spinel, and titanium disulfide (TiS2) as the original material of Li-ion. As a result, the price was originally very expensive battery.
Now the price of Li-ion batteries are still expensive. As a result, electric or hybrid cars brackish is difficult to be bought by most people. Actually, hybrid cars made by Toyota (Prius) and Honda (Civic) are still using NiMH batteries. Ability is better than conventional batteries using lead base materials.
Toyota's own claim is pointed out that the factors leading to expensive hybrid cars is the battery. Therefore, Japan's biggest car company continues to push the Prius surprisingly sold until 1 million per year around the world on the case of its price should be suppressed.
Base on the onslaught of the various companies making Li-ion batteries, reportedly, both Toyota and Honda will soon switch to the battery type. However, IT IS interesting enough. Mitsubishi has been already several times to exhibite a pure electric car in Indoneia, iMiEV. it has already used Li-ion battery.
increasing number of automotive companies offer electric-powered vehicles and hybrid (green), both cars and motorcycles, to bring new hope for the development of Li-ion battery. Not only the price is expected to be much cheaper because of mass-produced, it is also the ability to work better.
Now many large and small companies in developed countries, like Germany, France, Japan and the United States develop Li-ion. In fact, institutions and universities of research participated to expand it. Understandably, it is other than motor vehicles in which the number of users is very large for electronic equipment of Li-ion users.
Like right now, despite it is lower oil prices, efforts to develop and use a Li-ion is intensified. Not only car offered with a pure electric or hybrid power, but it is also motorcycles. In fact, the JMS held in 2008 in Jakarta, manufacturers have also displaying a prototype electric-powered motorcycles and scooters.
On the other hand,it find out development of activator, such as an electric motor to run cars and motorcycles, as well as the more advanced. Electric motor capable of producing great energy. Its rotation is also higher.
The ability of cars and motorcycles were not much different than using a motor fuel. In fact, in managing or utilizing energy for vehicles, it is more efficient electric cars and motors. Appearances of cars relying on pure electric energy or Li-ion battery is also more attractive, sporty and stylish.
Nano technology
The problem that still rebound in the development of Li-ion is still be in the form of manufacturing cells with large quantities. In fact, for large size car is needed to be able to generate great energy. The size is still difficult to overcome the challenges faced by Li-ion manufacturers because it later comes to production and it is finally the price.
For example, Volvo has to use 3000 Li-ion cell consisting of AA size batteries for the concept car, 3CC, in which it produces 105 PS power. If it is made in a large size using cobalt material, it is resulted in rapid heat units and it subsequently causes a fire or explosion.
Development of Lithium-ion batteries are now also beginning to utilize nanotechnology or find a material that is able to produce better performance. Based on the results of the study, with nano technology, Li-ion battery can be charged 10 times faster than similar batteries today. Even so, the battery is still found weaknesses.
For example, Altarinano, a small company in Reno, Nevada, USA has been using the electrode material called nano-sized titanet. His ability to produce power 3 times is larger than the Li-ion current and it can be filled only for 6 minutes. The problem is, half the energy capacity of Li-ion cells to normal. Though it can be recharged up to 2,000 times over 20 years, or four times the age of Li-ion batteries now.
The research group at MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology) has also been successfully developed nano-sized wire for ultra-thin Li-ion batteries with energy density of Li-ion three times compared to normal, whereas in France, the Li-ion batteries are developed by nanostruktur. In fact, there are experts who try to use gold.
With the vigorous development, the future of electric cars can meet the needs of consumers, both in terms of price, time charging, or mileage further. It is no less important, in addition to save energy and operating costs, zero or little pollution, either in the form of smoke emissions and noise, noise!
