Introduction to the Lithium-ion battery
The United Nations (UN) estimates that globally we produce 50 million tonnes of e-waste every year. Too often this waste, including our phones and their batteries are disposed of in ways that threaten human and environmental health. Surely, there must be a better way!
To better understand lithium-ion power and how it contributes to safe and sustainable cities, let’s first explore how lithium-ion batteries work, why they are so important, what the risks are, and how we can start thinking about solutions.
Martin Cooper, a Motorola researcher and executive, and creator of the modern mobile phone
Lithium-ion batteries are powerful.
The first mobile phone was released in 1973. It weighed 2.3 pounds (1.04 kg) and the battery lasted for 30 minutes. Recharging the battery took about ten hours.
In 2020, mobile phones weigh 100-200 grams and the battery charge can last a day, taking less than an hour to recharge.
Mobile phones are one example of the demand for faster, lighter, and longer-lasting batteries, especially as more battery-powered devices move into our pockets, homes, and cities.
Student Reading: On the Road (PDF 23MBS)
Drag the slider to see how phones have changed.
How do lithium-ion batteries work?
John Goodenough, Akira Yoshino, Stanley Whittingham
2019 Nobel Prize in Chemistry laureates
Lithium-Ion Battery Creators Win Nobel Prize
“The Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2019 rewards the development of the lithium-ion battery. This lightweight, rechargeable and powerful battery is now used in everything from mobile phones to laptops and electric vehicles. It can also store signifIcant amounts of energy from solar and wind power, making possible a fossil fuel-free society.” -Nobel Prize Committee
Student Reading: Lithium-ion Timeline (PDF 11MBS)
See the full press release here.
Fact: The Nobel Prize committee recognized the contribution of lithium-ion batteries to sustainable energy.
Lithium-ion batteries are everywhere.
Student Reading: It’s a Lithium World (PDF 11MBS)
Student Reading: Towers of Power (PDF 11MBS)
We power our cars, our houses, and a growing list of wearable devices like activity trackers, medical devices, and virtual reality headsets, watches and phones with lithium-ion batteries. And their use in our cities is only going to grow. Have a look.
Drones:
Drones are flying vehicles that are unpiloted or piloted with a remote control. Drones are useful for tasks like search and rescue, aerial photography, and delivering packages. Lithium-ion batteries power these devices.
Solar panels
Renewable energy sources like solar vary in how much energy they can provide at a given time. Lithium-ion batteries store this energy so that it can be used consistently.
Electric vehicles
Whispery silent vehicles are becoming a preferred choice of transportation – but did you know the batteries that power them aren’t that different from the ones in your phone? Lithium-ion batteries power electric cars, bikes, and scooters.
Hoverboards
Lithium-ion batteries power novel forms of transportation such as self-balancing scooters.
Mobile phones
Mobile phones help us stay connected to one another no matter where in the world we are. They are powered by lithium-ion batteries.
Laptops
Laptops are portable computers that can instantly access information to help us get work done. They are powered by lithium-ion batteries.
Subways and Light Rail
Trains are a piece of public transit systems that bring us from place to place. Lithium-ion batteries can be a part of this system. For example, in some cities, trains use lithium-ion batteries in the brake system to store kinetic energy and use it later.
Smart watches
Smart watches and other wearables do more than just tell the time. These rechargeable, small devices can monitor heart rate, connect to the internet, and use GPS. They are powered by lithium-ion batteries.
Power tools
Cordless power tools facilitate construction in places that lack electrical outlets. These tools are often powered by lithium-ion batteries.
Medical devices
Medical devices like blood glucose meters can support and monitor health conditions over extended periods of time. These devices are sometimes powered by lithium-ion batteries.
Headphones
Lithium-ion technology grants batteries the flexibility to be small and rechargeable. These qualities allow them to power devices like wireless earbuds and headphones.
Satellites
Satellites orbit the planet. They transmit telecommunications like TV, internet, and phone. They inform GPS and meteorology systems. Satellites are powered by solar power, which is stored in lithium-ion batteries for use when the satellites are in the Earth’s shadow.
Stationary energy storage
Lithium-ion batteries can store energy for future use as stationary energy storage so it can be used when it is needed.
Portable chargers
Lithium-ion batteries can store energy for future use in portable power banks so that you can charge your devices on the go.
Mobile phones
Mobile phones help us stay connected to one another no matter where in the world we are. They are powered by lithium-ion batteries.
Virtual reality
Virtual reality (VR) technology creates immersive, interactive environments. Lithium-ion batteries power VR headsets and controllers.
Tablets
Tablets have the capabilities of a smartphone with a larger screen. These powerful, portable devices are fueled by lithium-ion batteries.
Mobile phones
Mobile phones help us stay connected to one another no matter where in the world we are. They are powered by lithium-ion batteries.
Mobile phones
Mobile phones help us stay connected to one another no matter where in the world we are. They are powered by lithium-ion batteries.
How do batteries contribute to safe and sustainable cities?
Student Reading: Getting on the Grid (PDF 11MBS)
We all benefit from forming communities that are safe and sustainable. When we build cities to be safe and sustainable, they become resilient: able to recover from unfortunate circumstances. Making cities sustainable is identified as the UN’s Sustainable Development Goal 11.
All communities need cleaner, more reliable energy. As cities become smarter, more resilient, and renewable, they will rely more and more on lithium-ion batteries.
Lithium-ion batteries empower us to construct cities that are safe and sustainable:
But, there are risks.
Lithium-ion batteries are powerful, portable, and versatile. They are also a source of great risk. At each stage of the production and disposal of a battery, there are risks to human health, safety, and the environment.
Student Reading: Lithium-ion Issues (PDF 23MBS)
A lithium-ion battery, if not designed, manufactured, or used properly, can experience conditions that lead to internal short circuit and possibly thermal runaway, which can result in smoke, fire and possibly explosion . Risks along the supply chain include:
To develop solutions, we must first understand these risks. To understand the risks, we must understand the supply chain.
When we weigh benefits and challenges, we decide what is acceptable risk. These are called trade-offs. Lithium-ion batteries answer the growing demand for portable and renewable energy, but where do they come from? How are they made? How are they safely transported? And, what happens to the batteries when we’re done with them?
Follow the lithium-ion battery’s global supply chain journey step by step from:
Extraction of Natural Resources
Battery Production
Transportation
Product Use
Waste and Disposal
Let’s track the journey of your mobile phone battery to better understand some of the risks from its beginning to long after you are done with it. From there, we will explore solutions.