Imagine the world without batteries. They are everywhere! They run most of our gadgets-from wrist-watches, to cars. Let’s see some amazing facts about Li-Ion batteries.

THEY COME IN ALL SIZES

Li-Ion batteries are an essential part of our laptops, e-bikes, smartphones, and e-cars. But did you know they also hold a record for the world`s largest and world’s smallest battery? The smallest battery in the world has been created from a lithium-based rechargeable battery and can be used to run minuscule electronic devices. This battery is six times thinner than a bacterium, and over 60,000 times smaller than an AAA battery.
On the other hand, there is a giant Tesla battery, located in South Australia. It is getting its juice from a nearby wind power plant and with its 100 MW, it can power more than 30 000 homes.

THEY CAN SPONTANEOUSLY COMBUST

The electrolytes of the Li-Ion Batteries are highly flammable so there were instances of batteries spontaneously bursting into flames, especially when carried by the airplanes, due to big pressure and temperature differences. Two years ago a fire caused by Li-Ion batteries burst at the E World Cup, the electric spin-off of MotoGP. A similar event has not been repeated since. Despite this, these freak-accidents are rare, so you don’t have to worry for your smartphone to explode in your hand.

INFECTED WITH VIRUSES

With electric vehicles, mass/power ratio is always an important matter, since lighter vehicles have a better range. This is why scientists have been looking for a way to increase the power of the batteries and reduce their weight. Material researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology came up with the unusual idea of infecting lithium-oxygen batteries with viruses. The viruses, which the researchers used, began to build thin wires in the batteries, making them light and powerful-just the way we like them. These biological batteries of the future could significantly increase the range of the vehicles.

NOMINATIONS BUT NO AWARD

Gilbert Newton Lewis, the father of Li-Ion batteries, developed the first Li-Ion based energy-storage solution in 1912. Even though his invention has changed the world, he has been nominated for the Nobel Prize 41 times and never won.

Li-Ion batteries have changed our world and they are the energy behind many interesting inventions. We are excited to see what comes next.