How to Properly Charge a Lithium-ion Battery

The following guidelines should be followed when charging a lithium-ion battery;

Using the right charger- the charger that came with the device should be used or a reputable replacement with a specific design for lithium-ion batteries.

Charge at Room Temperature- the battery should be charged at temperatures ranging from 0°C to 45°C.  Extreme temperatures should be avoided as battery performance can be easily affected. 

Avoid Overcharging- Modern devices and chargers are nowadays designed in a manner to prevent overcharging. It is good to unplug the device when it's fully charged to avoid prolonged charging.

Partial Discharges Are Fine- there is no need to fully discharge lithium-ion batteries before recharging as they do not have a 'memory effect '. It is okay to do partial charges instead of full discharges.

Battery Level Between 20% and 80%- to ensure long-term battery health, it is advisable to keep the battery level between 20% and 80%. Constant drops to 0% or full charge to 100% should be avoided.  

Store at 50% Charge- when there's a need to store a lithium-ion battery for longer periods, it is better to store it in a cool, dry place with around 50%charge.  

Avoid Fast Charging always- the amount of heat generated during fast charging is high and can cause battery degradation over time.  Regular charging should be used for daily use while fast charging is applied occasionally.  

Monitor battery health- some applications or devices offer the option to monitor battery. Monitor the battery and in case there's any significant drop in capacity, replacement should be done.

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Shelf Life

The state of charge when being adored and storage conditions determine the shelf life of a lithium-ion battery.  Some general guidelines regarding shelf life include;

Uncharged Battery- typically, a lithium-ion battery can be stored for extended periods if kept uncharged.  The battery capacity of a new and unused lithium-ion battery is often retained for a maximum of up to two years when stored in a cool, dry place. Capacity degradation may begin to occur slowly after this period.

Partially Charged Battery- storing lithium-ion batteries while fully charged for extended periods is highly disregarded. For long-term storage purposes, partial charges of around 50% are recommended.  When a lithium-ion battery is to be stored for longer periods, it is advisable to discharge or partially charge it to this level.

Temperature- temperature plays a key role in the shelf life of lithium-ion batteries.  The ideal environment for their storage is a cool, dry place.  High temperatures can quicken the battery capacity loss.  For that reason, it is important to avoid exposure to extreme heat.

Use and maintenance- the battery shelf life is affected by the history of use and maintenance.  A battery can have a shorter shelf life if it has been recharged multiple times and is heavily used.  

Naturally, lithium-ion batteries will degrade over time while exhibiting capacity loss even with the proper storage practices.  When a lithium-ion battery is well maintained? it can retain over 80% of the original capacity even though this can vary depending on the specific battery quality and chemistry.  Lithium-ion batteries that are to be stored for longer periods should be partially charged to ensure it is well maintained.

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Heat Dissipation

In lithium-ion batteries, heat dissipation is an important aspect of their operation and design. 

Battery degradation can be accelerated by excess heat which is also likely to cause safety concerns. Heat Generation and dissipation in lithium-ion batteries take place in this manner;

Heat Generation- primarily, heat is generated during the charging and discharging cycles. This is a result of chemical reactions occurring inside the cells, resistance in the battery's components, and inefficiencies of power transfer.  Fast charging generates more heat as it involves higher currents.  Short circuits, overcharging, and over-discharging causes excessive heat generation.  

Heat dissipation- to dissipate heat effectively, lithium-ion batteries are designed with several mechanisms and components.  

Thermal Management Systems- Modern lithium-ion batteries have inbuilt thermal management systems like in high-performance applications and electric vehicles.  These systems use heat exchangers and cooling fluids to remove excess heat.

Heat sinks- these are materials designed to dissipate and conduct heat away from the cells.

Heat-resistant enclosures- the battery casing can withstand high temperatures while protecting against external heat sources.  

Safety mechanisms- safety mechanisms are integrated with lithium-ion batteries for the mitigation of heat-associated risks. The mechanisms include pressure relief valves and over-temperature protection which release excess heat and gas. Thermal runaway can occur in extreme cases where a battery vents gas or overheats.  This event can result in fires or explosions.  

Operating Conditions- for proper heat management, it is important to follow the manufacturer's recommendations about battery operation temperature range.  Safety concerns and reduced battery performance are possible in extreme temperatures either high or low.

For efficiency in operation and safety of lithium-ion batteries, effective heat dissipation is crucial. This is essential in applications requiring frequent fast charging and high power. To control heat dissipation, there are safety features, cooling mechanisms, and battery management systems incorporated in lithium-ion batteries. This ensures battery longevity and safety during operation.

Why lithium-ion battery should not be charged while in use

It is not recommended to discharge lithium-ion battery while charging for several reasons;

Heat Generation- simultaneously charging and discharging can cause an increase in heat generation within the battery cells.  The battery temperature can rise significantly when both processes occur simultaneously.  High temperatures are risky for battery safety and health.

Reduced Efficiency- Using the battery while charging decreases the energy efficiency during the charging process.  The charging process is potentially slower and less effective as more energy is lost as heat.  

Accelerated Degradation- there's likely to be an increase in the battery's wear and tear when charging and discharging processes occur simultaneously.  

Safety concerns- simultaneous charging and discharging can put stress on the battery leading to safety issues like overheating and sometimes thermal runaway.

Reduced charging speed- when discharging occurs concurrently with the charging process, the speed is affected which in turn prolongs the charging period.

Conclusion

The number of charge-discharge cycles for lithium-ion batteries is limited and their capacity will degrade over time.  Lithium-ion batteries should be charged properly to maximize their lifespan and battery performance. The guidelines indicated by the manufacturers should be observed to ensure longevity and efficiency.