Rechargeable batteries,unlike the standard ones,can be used and reused multiple times before being disposed of.They have the capability to be charged and discharged repeatedly using a charger device which passes an electric current through the batteries.Electrolytic chemicals with a high degree of active life are present in rechargeable batteries.These chemicals allow them to be activated and used even after it has been “exhausted” several times.The types of rechargeable batteries vary depending on the electrolytic chemicals that are used.These include Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMH),Nickel Cadmium (Ni Cd),Lead acid,and rechargeable Lithium ion batteries.
Nowadays,rechargeable lithium battery has many uses.They are widely used in toys,torch,clocks and cameras.Cameras are mostly suggested to use these kinds of batteries.Camera has a flash that uses a large amount of energy from the battery installed in them.That is the reason why all the wide ranges of digital cameras and the professional cameras use these kinds of batteries.Digital camera works automatically,therefore,they require more energy and those professional cameras need to have a good flash lightening to get a good exposure.Therefore,these are used because they are convenient and long-lasting.
Among all the types,the Lithium ion batteries have the highest energy density rates.This refers to the energy stored in the battery expressed as a function of weight or volume.To compare,it has a cell voltage of 3.6 volts,while NiMh and Lead acid batteries typically have cell voltages of 1.2 volts and 2.2 volts,respectively.Consequently,they cost the most among all the other types of rechargeable batteries.A rechargeable battery’s use is not unlimited;when the active life of the electrolytic chemicals has been completely exhausted,the battery cannot be recharged again.The li-ion battery is perfect for long-term use not only because of their high energy density but also because they have a low rate of self-discharge.So even if the battery is left unused for a long period of time,it does not run the risk of going dead.
From the year it is manufactured,a Lithium ion battery loses only 5%-10% of its storage capacity per year.This is why they are very ideal to use in laptop computers,cell phones,digital SLR cameras,and particularly in emergency devices like smoke alarms and emergency flashlights.Depending on the company that produced them,commercial lithium batteries differ from each other based on the different Lithium compound cathodes used.Li-ion batteries of Sony use Lithium Cobalt oxide cathode and a graphite anode.Li-Manganese spinel is the cathode used by other companies like LG,NEC,and Samsung.
However,due to the highly volatile electrolytic combination used in Lithium ion batteries,they have a high risk of explosion when they short circuit or overheat.In the case of rechargeable Lithium ion batteries,prolonged exposure to direct sunlight can be very dangerous.It is very important that these batteries are purchased only from very reliable manufacturers with very high standards of quality control to ensure that they are safe and reliable.The lithium battery is unmatched with any other battery because of the power and life time.It has much greater advantages than those normal alkaline batteries.A normal alkaline battery give about 7000 mAh but a lithium battery gives over 12000 mAh and with the different compounds,it gives a much greater amount of energy.
