Discussion on lithium titanate battery

Have you ever wondered where the word would be without batteries·  As we shift towards the use of renewable energy, more advanced batteries are being produced to meet the rising demands. There are always people trying to improve existing technology.

Lithium-based batteries as seen to be the best in the industry. Even so, that can s only a name used as an umbrella for many other different types.

Lithium Titanate (LTO) is the latest technology in lithium batteries. They are focused on fast charging and discharging. In this discussion, we are going to focus everything on LTO.

Lithium titanate battery characteristics

Batteries have become an essential part of our daily lives. LTO batteries, in particular, are known for fast charging and low internal resistance characteristics. They are also defined by fast discharge rate, long life cycle, and great endurance. They are safer.

LTOs are being used mostly in electric vehicles, energy storage devices, and wristwatches (especially Seiko). Due to high safety, mobile medical device manufacturers have started using them.

One of the defying characteristics of this technology is the use of nanocrystals on the inside, where other batteries use carbon. As such, they provide a more effective surface area.

Features:

· 30 -10Wh/kg specific energy

· Energy density that can go as high as 177 Wh/L

· The specific power of 3000 – 5,100 W/kg on peak load

· Efficiency in discharge and charge; 85% and 95% consecutively.

· Energy vs. consumer price; 0.5Wh/dollar

· Self-discharges at 2 – 5 %/month

· It can perform up to 6000 cycles to 90% capacity. Some models can even go up to 10,000 cycles

· The nominal cell voltage of 1.9 to 2.4V depending on the device

· A cut off voltage of 1.5V typical

· Temperatures as low as -40 degrees C and as high as +55 Degrees C

· Use a standard constant current technique for charging, followed by constant voltage until you achieve threshold amps.

Battery chemistry

Li4Ti5O12 + 6LiCoO2    Li7Ti5O12+6Li0.5CoO2

The truth is, the LTO technology is a game-changer in the battery industry. It has brought a new dimension of possibilities in renewable energy. It is seen as the future of battery-powered applications.

Its characteristics include;

· Lithium Titanate oxide technology. Also known as lithium titanium oxide, this technology is a modification of the Lithium-Ion battery. It has a Li-Titanate oxide that replaces the graphite anode found in traditional Li-Ion batteries. This component forms the spinel 3D crystals structure. As a result, LTO batteries release a high current discharge 10x better than other types of batteries. It does not use carbon particles as part of its surface, instead utilizes lithium-titanate nanocrystals.

· Lithium-titanate oxide anodes. The surface area of the LTO batteries is close to 35 times to what other lithium batteries can hold. This is due to the alteration that includes lithium-titanate nanocrystals. Thus enlarged surface area allows for electrons to enter and leave the anode much faster. As a result, you can enjoy fast charging and a longer performance than other batteries.

· They offer an extremely long life. The nanotechnology increases its surface area, which enhances their lifetime. Since they are over 30 times larger than other lithium batteries, you can expect them to last longer.

· They are designed to charge and discharge rapidly.  As discussed above, the large surface area of the anode allows for faster movement of ions, compared to the 3 square meters per gram for normal carbon material.

· They are safer. There have been very many reports of Li-Ion batteries, for instance, exploding. The LTO technology is known for its high level of security. It has a lower operating voltage making it safe for consumers and the environment. Since they are free of carbon, they don’t have to experience thermal runaway and overheating.

· The nanotechnology employed can withstand very low temperatures compared to normal batteries. For this reason, it can obtain close to 80% of full capacity in say -30 degrees C.

· They are integrated with energy storage. This is a huge step towards bridging the gap between battery energy storage and grid power.

Lithium titanate battery charging and market

The LTO technology brings to the market the amazing and interesting fast-charging properties. The lithium-ion battery technology is the widest used battery tech in the world, having established itself in mobile phones and other devices. It is seen as the most advanced, high performance and reliable alternative for mobile phones, wearables, and even electric vehicles.

But that has never been enough as the rate of competition among manufacturers has led to better versions of the technology. In a bid to improve charging rate, durability and ruggedness, different chemicals have been added, among them lithium titanium oxide. Its advantages have already been discussed above.

This technology is taking over the market at a high rate. One great example is the large capacity bus project called TOSA. In this instance, the fast charging properties are essential in partly recharging the bus battery when it stops even for a short period.

Due to its safety features, LTO technology has taken roots in medical facilities around the globe. And since they last even longer than standard lithium-based batteries, the rate of adoption is quite high.

Altairnano and Toshiba are the two companies leading in the manufacture of LTO battery tech. The first introduction of the tech on the market came from Altairnano in 2005, which has since developed many batteries for different electric-vehicles companies. Toshiba came in later with their Super Charge Ion Battery (SCiB).

All indications today show that fast charging technology is the future of battery technology. Consumers are always looking for something better, and LTO is ripe for adoption. There are speculations that LTOs will dominate the market of EVs shortly.

How to use lithium titanate oxide battery properly

LTO batteries, as discussed above, are very safe to use. The use of nanotechnology eliminates the need for carbon, making them safe even for hospital environments. However, one must be careful when using them still.

Avoid dropping the batteries as this physically destroys them. As they are expensive, you don’t want to spend money buying new batteries all the time.

Use a recommended charger. One of the greatest enemies for batteries is chargers. Consider using one that is designed for such a battery. On the same note, do not drain the battery completely.

Many electric vehicles will have LTO batteries. They are better at everything, from performance to safety. They are a revolutionary technology that will change the world of renewable energy.