In the long history of mankind's pursuit of more efficient and cleaner energy, the invention and development of lithium batteries is undoubtedly a brilliant chapter. From the initial exploration of electrochemical principles, to now become a key force in promoting scientific and technological progress and energy transformation, the evolution of lithium batteries has not only witnessed the wisdom and perseverance of scientific research, but also profoundly impacted our daily lives and socio-economic landscape.
From the accidental discovery of the Leyden jar in the 18th century to the commercial breakthrough of lithium-ion batteries at the end of the 20th century, this journey has been full of challenges and breakthroughs. Scientists have continuously explored the potential of materials, optimised structural design, and overcome one technical challenge after another, ultimately enabling lithium batteries to make a quantum leap in energy density, cycle life, safety and other aspects. This not only provides lasting power for portable electronic devices such as smartphones and laptops, but also lays a solid foundation for the green transformation of electric vehicles, energy storage systems and even the entire energy system.
The purpose of this paper is to analyse the history of lithium battery development, so that we can better understand the importance of lithium batteries to human society, but also to stimulate the future development of energy technology unlimited imagination!
Who invented the battery
The invention of the battery dates back to the 18th century. 1745 saw the early beginnings of the study of electricity with the invention of the Leyden jar by Dutch scientist Pieter Mussenbrock, and in the 1790s, Voltar came up with the famous Voltar electric pile, which laid the groundwork for the earliest prototypes of chemical batteries. However, the key people and events that really drove the development of battery technology occurred in the 20th century.
The 1970s and 1990s were a critical period in the development of the lithium battery. Stanley Whittingham invented and patented the first rechargeable lithium-ion battery in 1977. American scientist John Gudinaw discovered lithium cobaltate (LiCoO2) as the anode material in 1980, which significantly improved the energy density of the battery. 1985, Japanese scientist Akira Yoshino proposed lithium cobaltate as the anode, petroleum coke as the negative electrode lithium-ion battery prototype, and for the first time named it ‘lithium-ion batteries.’ In 1991, Sony launched the first commercial lithium-ion battery using Akira Yoshino's technology, signalling the widespread use of lithium-ion batteries.
The significance of the invention of the battery
The invention of the battery has a profound impact on the development of human society, and its significance is reflected in the following aspects:
1. The birth of portable energy
With the emergence of the battery, the concept of portable energy was realised. Batteries enable a variety of electronic devices (such as torches, radios, mobile phones, etc.) to operate independently of power outlets, greatly facilitating people's daily lives. The popularity of portable energy not only improves the quality of life, but also promotes the development of industry and commerce.
2. Promoting scientific and technological progress
The development of battery technology has contributed to the progress of many fields of science and technology. Particularly in the areas of communications, computing and transport, battery technology has provided the basis for the realisation of many innovations and products. For example, the rise of electric vehicles cannot be separated from the support of high-performance batteries, and the popularity of smart devices is also due to the continuous progress of battery technology.
3. Promoting sustainable development
With the increased focus on renewable energy, batteries, as an important part of the energy storage system, provide a solution to the problem of energy storage. Batteries can balance the intermittency of renewable energy sources (such as solar and wind), promote the use of green energy and contribute to sustainable development.
4. Changing production and consumption patterns
The proliferation of batteries has led to changes in production and consumption patterns. Battery-powered devices have replaced many traditional electric-powered devices, reducing reliance on traditional energy sources. At the same time, the innovation and development of battery technology has also led to the formation of many new industries, such as the electric vehicle industry, smart homes, etc.
5. Promoting awareness of environmental protection
The use and recycling of batteries have triggered people's concern for environmental protection. With the continuous research on lithium batteries and other battery technologies, the development of related recycling and treatment technologies helps to reduce the impact of e-waste on the environment and promote the development of a sustainable economy.
6. Enhancing national competitiveness
The R&D and industrialisation of battery technology is crucial to a country's technological level and industrial strength. Countries with strong battery technology can gain an advantage in the international market, promote the development of related industries and drive economic growth.
Significant events in the development of lithium battery
Many significant events have occurred in the development of lithium batteries, which not only marked technological breakthroughs, but also promoted the wide application of lithium batteries in various fields. The following are some of the key milestones:
- 1970: John B. Goodenough and others first developed anode materials for lithium-ion batteries at the University of Texas, laying the foundation for lithium batteries.
- 1980: Japanese researchers began to carry out research on lithium metal batteries, proposed the use of lithium metal as the negative electrode of the storage method, for the development of lithium battery technology provides a new way of thinking.
- 1983: Kodak (Eastman Kodak) also developed lithium batteries, but failed to enter the market due to technical limitations and safety issues.
- 1991: Sony and its partner Mitsubishi developed and launched the world's first rechargeable lithium-ion battery. This marked the commercialisation of lithium battery technology and paved the way for subsequent consumer electronics products.
- Mid to late 1990s: Lithium-ion batteries were widely used, and with the popularity of mobile phones, laptops and other consumer electronics products, lithium-ion batteries gradually became the mainstream batteries, driving the rapid development of the global consumer electronics market.
- 2000: Tesla Motors was founded and began to focus on the development of electric vehicles and the application of lithium batteries, marking the arrival of the electric vehicle era.
- 2008: Tesla launched its first mass-produced electric vehicle, the Tesla Roadster, which used lithium batteries, further boosting the market demand for lithium batteries.
- 2010-2015: Lithium battery technology continued to advance, with researchers developing safer and higher energy density battery materials such as lithium nickel cobalt manganate (NCM) and lithium iron phosphate (LFP).
- 2015: Tesla completes the Gigafactory in Nevada, a massive lithium battery production facility, marking the scale and industrialisation of lithium battery production.
- 2020: a number of companies began to conduct in-depth research on solid-state batteries, and the technology is expected to solve the limitations of traditional lithium batteries in terms of safety, energy density and other aspects.
- 2022: A number of start-up companies have successfully demonstrated prototypes of solid-state batteries, which are expected to be commercialised in the coming years.
History of lithium-ion battery materials
1970
M.S. Whittingham made the first lithium battery using titanium sulfide as the anode material and lithium metal as the cathode material. The anode material for lithium batteries is usually manganese dioxide or sulfoxide chloride. The cathode is lithium. This type of Battery Bank has voltage when assembled and does not need to be recharged.
Lithium-ion batteries were developed from lithium batteries. For example, the button cell batteries used in cameras in the past were lithium batteries. This type of battery can also be recharged, but it has poor cycling performance. Lithium crystals tend to form during charge/discharge cycling, leading to short circuits inside the battery. Therefore, charging such batteries is usually prohibited.
1982
R.R. Agarwal and J.R. Selman of the Illinois Institute of Technology discovered that lithium ions have the property of embedding in graphite. The process is fast and reversible. At the same time, there were concerns about the safety risks of lithium batteries made from lithium metal. As a result, attempts were made to utilise the properties of lithium ions embedded in graphite to create rechargeable batteries. The first usable lithium-ion graphite electrode was successfully trialled by Bell Labs.
1983
M. Thackeray, J. Goodenough and others discovered that manganese spinel was an excellent cathode material. This material is low cost, stable, and has excellent electrical and lithium conductivity. Its decomposition temperature is high and its oxidation is much lower than lithium cobaltate. Even in the event of a short circuit or overcharge, the risk of combustion or explosion can be avoided.
History of Lithium Battery Applications
In 1996, Padhi and Goodenough discovered phosphates with an olivine structure, such as lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4). It is safer than traditional cathode materials, especially high temperature resistant, and its overcharge resistance is far superior to that of traditional lithium ion battery materials. Therefore, it has become the mainstream anode material for high-current discharge lithium power batteries.
In 1996, lithium iron phosphate was successfully developed, and Goodenough proposed the commercialisation of lithium iron phosphate, which caused another sensation.
In 1997, Japan's first lithium-ion battery electric car Prairie JoyEV appeared.
In 1998, Academician Chen Li Quan, the father of Chinese lithium battery, built the first production line with a full set of Chinese equipment.
In 1999, 8 Japanese companies led by Panasonic launched their first lithium polymer product. It was called the first year of polymer lithium-ion batteries by the Japanese.
In 1999, South Korea entered the lithium-ion battery market, and LG Chem completed the first Korean battery product.
In 2000, BYD received an order from Moto. In the past, it took BYD only three years to rank first in the world in its cadmium-nickel battery business. 2000, it invested heavily in lithium-ion battery research and development, and received an order from Motorola.
In 2004, graphene was successfully developed.
In 2004, Ningde Times became the supplier of iPod.
In 2004, China's lithium battery industry emerged. China's annual output of lithium-ion batteries was 800 million units, accounting for 38 per cent of the global share, second only to Japan.
In 2006, BYD launched its first electric car, the F3e, which did not reach the market due to insufficient policies and charging facilities. In the 2006 Sony battery safety incident, a Dell laptop caught fire at an international conference. Sony spent $440 million to recall 10 million batteries.
In 2008, China, Japan and South Korea were divided into three parts. With the rise of South Korean companies such as LG and Samsung, the international lithium battery market is divided into three segments: Japan, South Korea and Korea.
In 2011, megawatt-scale energy storage stations were connected to the grid in China. In the field of energy storage, lithium-ion batteries have an application area other than electric vehicles. It was also the world's first megawatt-scale energy storage station to use lithium iron phosphate as the cathode.
In 2012, the Tesla Model S was launched.
In 2012, 4.35 V lithium cobaltate was introduced.
In 2012, Panasonic's high energy density 18650 battery was the first to be launched. Panasonic mass-produced conventional voltage batteries with the highest energy density of 18650-3400mAh based on the use of NCA materials. According to the National Bureau of Statistics, as of 2013, China's annual output of lithium-ion batteries was close to 4.768 billion units, making it a major battery producer in the world.
In 2014, drone production exploded. Global sales of civilian drones reached 390,000, up 50 per cent year-on-year. The widespread use of drones has boosted the sale of drone batteries.
In 2016, Sony sold its battery division. Due to Panasonic's dominance in the high-end passenger car battery market and the cost war between LG, Samsung and Chinese manufacturers, Sony's battery division, which had been losing money, had no hope of turning a profit, so it resold its battery division to Murata Manufacturing.
In 2017, the price of lithium cobaltate soared.
In 2017, Goodnough, the 94-year-old father of lithium batteries, came forward again and led a team to develop a solid-state battery. After completing 1,200 cycles, it could be trialled at 20-60 degrees, sparking a revolution in the lithium battery industry.
In 2018, hydrogen fuel cells impacted the lithium battery market.
In 2019, three people who made significant contributions to lithium-ion won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry.
In 2020, BYD officially launches the blade battery
In 2021, Mercedes-Benz announced the use of LiFePO4 batteries
In 2022, overall global lithium-ion battery shipments will be 957.7GWh, up 70.3% year-on-year. China's lithium-ion battery shipments reached 660.8GWh, an increase of 97.7% year-on-year, exceeding the global average growth rate, accounting for 69.0% of total global lithium-ion battery shipments.
In 2023, the global shipment of lithium-ion batteries will reach 1,192GWh, a year-on-year growth of 24.9%. It is expected to exceed 1,500GWh in 2024, and the global shipment of lithium batteries is expected to reach 6,331GWh in 2030, with a CAGR of 26.9% from 2023 to 2030, and the global lithium battery shipment will maintain rapid growth. 2023 to 2030, the global shipment of lithium batteries will maintain rapid growth, mainly due to the fact that the automotive power batteries and energy storage batteries, which account for a larger share of lithium batteries, will maintain rapid growth. Global lithium battery shipments will maintain rapid growth from 2023 to 2030, mainly because automotive power batteries and energy storage batteries account for a large share of lithium batteries.
Wikipedia: History of lithium batteries
Trends in lithium-ion battery development
The development of lithium-ion batteries is evolving at a rapid pace, driving technological advancement and innovation across multiple industries. The following are some of the key trends and areas in the current development of lithium-ion batteries:
1. Increase in energy density
Application of new materials: Researchers are exploring the use of silicon, nickel-cobalt-manganese (NCM) and lithium cobaltate, as well as other new electrode materials, to increase the energy density of lithium-ion batteries. This will lead to longer range, which is especially important in the electric vehicle (EV) sector.
R&D of solid-state batteries: Solid-state batteries have attracted widespread attention for their higher energy density and safety. Several companies are carrying out R&D on solid-state batteries, which are expected to enter the market in the next few years.
2. Fast charging technology
With the increasing popularity of electric vehicles and portable electronic devices, fast charging technology has become an important direction in the development of lithium-ion batteries. Researchers are committed to developing battery solutions that can be charged to 80% or higher in a short period of time to improve user experience and convenience.
3. Safety Improvements
Lithium-ion batteries still face challenges in terms of safety. Through improved electrolyte formulations, the use of solid-state electrolytes, and enhanced battery structures, R&D is working to improve the thermal stability and short-circuit resistance of batteries to reduce the risk of fire and explosion.
4. Recycling and circular economy
Given the scarcity and environmental impact of materials such as lithium, cobalt and nickel, the recycling and reuse of lithium-ion batteries is receiving increasing attention. Many companies and research institutes are developing new recycling technologies to improve the recycling rate and economy of battery materials and promote the realisation of circular economy.
5. Diversified applications
The applications of lithium-ion batteries are expanding, and they are widely used in many fields, from traditional consumer electronics to electric vehicles, renewable energy storage, drones, smart grids, and portable medical devices. With the advancement of technology, they will also enter more emerging fields in the future, such as aerospace and marine navigation.
6. Economic scale and market competition
As the global demand for electric vehicles and renewable energy grows, the production cost of lithium-ion batteries is gradually decreasing. Many battery manufacturers are seeking to achieve cost control by scaling up production and optimising the supply chain, as well as seeking technological differentiation to enhance competitiveness.
7. Policy and market driven
Governments are placing increasing emphasis on sustainable development and have introduced a range of policies to support the development of electric vehicles and energy storage. This has fuelled the rapid development of lithium-ion battery technology and attracted significant investment.
8. Low Temperature Environmental Challenges
In low-temperature conditions, lithium battery electrolyte and electrode material activity is reduced, the electrode surface of the lithium ion migration rate slows down, resulting in a sharp decline in the charging rate, while the internal resistance of the battery increases, the heat is difficult to emit, easy to cause safety hazards, and the battery's actual usable capacity and power will be significantly reduced, the future of lithium batteries need to be developed to withstand the low temperature of the product
Lithium-Ion Batteries under Low-Temperature Environment: Challenges and Prospects
Summary
As one of the representatives of modern energy technology, lithium battery has played an important role in promoting scientific and technological progress and improving the quality of life since its birth. From material development to application promotion, lithium battery has gone through many stages of development. In the face of the future, with the continuous innovation of technology, lithium batteries will play an increasingly important role in the field of new energy.
