Lithium batteries - basic information

Lithium 'button' batteries are often used as power sources for the smallest portable devices (calculators, electronic dictionaries, etc.) - as well as for maintaining memory in similar devices (including maintaining BIOS memory in desktop computers). Lithium technology also produces batteries in standard AA and AAA sizes, which efficiently power digital cameras and other advanced electrical devices (it is important that they have a current regulator that can handle higher voltage, especially at the beginning of the cell's operation).


Lithium batteries (Li-FeS2) compatible with standard AA/AAA batteries were introduced to the market of popular consumer electronics in early 2007 by Energizer (Energizer Ultimate Lithium batteries). In mid-June 2008, Philips introduced Philips Lithium Ultra batteries.

The lithium-iron cell is constructed from a lithium (metallic) anode and a cathode in the form of a paste made from powdered iron sulfide, mixed with graphite immersed in a liquid electrolyte. Organic compounds such as propylene carbonate, dioxolane, and dimethoxyethane are used as electrolytes.

These batteries have a nominal voltage of 1.7 V but can deliver up to 1.8 V at the beginning of operation. Most electrical devices can tolerate this difference, but some may be damaged: particularly flashlights with bulbs and filaments, as well as flashlights with LEDs powered directly from the batteries (so-called Direct Drive). Lithium batteries are resistant to temperatures from -35 to +60 °C and have a very long shelf life of up to 15 years.

Lithium battery manufacturers claim that they can take up to 7 times more photos than traditional alkaline batteries. Lithium batteries are very resistant to high current discharge, which occurs when charging a flash lamp, and are resistant to temperatures below 0 °C. In contrast, alkaline batteries lose capacity (up to 90%) below -5 °C because their electrolyte freezes. The combination of temperatures below -5 °C and high current load causes alkaline batteries to quickly refuse to work under such conditions. Measurements taken under the same conditions - at room temperature (around 20 °C) show that lithium batteries have about 60% more capacity than alkaline batteries under low current load. Under high current discharge, lithium batteries exhibit 4 times (or 400%) greater capacity than alkaline batteries.

See also: Table of substitutes for photographic lithium batteries
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