Lithium Battery Knowledge

Chemistries, cells, packs, management and safety for lithium-ion batteries.

Fundamentals

• Energy density (Wh/kg vs Wh/L)
• Lifespan (cycle life vs calendar aging)
• How to store lithium batteries
• LiFePO4 voltage chart (the flat curve)
• How to charge a lithium battery
• What is C-rate (charge/discharge rate)?

Chemistries

• LFP vs NMC vs LTO
• Sodium-ion battery
• Solid-state battery

Systems

• What is a BMS (Battery Management System)?
• SOC vs SOH
• How to charge a lithium battery (CC/CV)
• Why lithium batteries degrade (SEI, plating, calendar vs cycle aging)

Safety

• What is thermal runaway?
• Why is my battery swollen?
• Lithium battery disposal (recycle safely)

Applications

• E-bike battery (the two-wheeler chemistry shift)
• 12V lithium battery for cars (the LiFePO4 starter)

Sustainability

• Lithium battery recycling (pyro / hydro / direct)