hium-ion batteries used to be a promising concept that originated in academic laboratories. These days they are becoming a sound reality. They are safe, environment-friendly, can endure thousands of cycles of charge/discharge. For all that they are the best alternative to Cadium, and of course the lead which is heavier, in the consumer market.
             Lithium-ion technology can hold a lot of power, but its exotic materials make it expensive. Part of the credit for its success goes to a tiny controller chip embedded in each battery that adjusts how quickly the battery discharges and prevents it from overcharging.
             The significant advantages of lithium-ion batteries are size, weight and energy density (the amount of power the battery can provide). Lithium-ion batteries are smaller, lighter and provide more energy than either nickel-cadmium or nickel-metal-hydride batteries. Additionally, lithium-ion batteries operate in a wider temperature range and can be recharged before they are fully discharged without creating a memory problem.
             As with most new technology, the disadvantage is pricing. Currently, lithium-ion and lithium-ion-polymer batteries are more expensive to manufacture than standard rechargeable batteries. Part of this expense is due to the volatile nature of lithium.
             Lithium-ion batteries are most commonly used in applications where one or more of the advantages (size, weight or energy) outweigh the additional cost, such as mobile telephones and mobile computing devices. Lithium-ion-polymer batteries are used when the battery needs to be a particular shape. There are two major types of Lithium-ion, coke and graphite. The coke version has been made by Sony since 1991. Most manufacturers, including Sony, make a graphite version. The use of a graphite electrode offers several advantages: a flatter discharge voltage with a sharp knee at the end, a higher end of discharge voltage of 3.0V vs. 2.5V for coke, graphite can deliver higher...