Prismatic Battery Vs Lithium-Ion Battery

By this time, you might already know that when it comes to battery lithium technology is the go-to option for everyone. At the time of introduction, these batteries were not adopted by all markets due to the high cost and novelty. But as new chemistry of cells is found, prices are dropping and many manufacturers are designing these batteries.

But do you think that you now know all about Lithium-ion technology? You will be mistaken if you think so. Lithium cells have been standard in most of the tools and larger applications, but you should know that not all the cells are made the same. There are many types of Lithium-ion cells that affect their working. So, here we are going to learn about Prismatic cells and how they are different than the regular lithium-ion batteries.

What Is A Prismatic Battery?

The prismatic battery is the kind of battery that uses a prismatic cell. It was introduced in the early 1990s as it satisfies the demands for thin size cells. Prismatic cells use a layered approach by optimizing the space available in a battery. At present times, these cells are dominating the market of mobile phones, tablets, and some low-profile laptops delivery a battery capacity of 800 mAh to 4000 mAh. The thing about the prismatic battery is that there is no standard size and format for these batteries as every manufacturer design one of its own.

The good thing is that Prismatic cells are available in very large formats. They are generally packed in aluminum housings and deliver capacity in a range of 20 - 50 Ah. These cells are primarily used in electric powertrains of hybrid and electric vehicles.

What Is The Difference Between Prismatic Battery And Lithium-Ion Battery?

Yes, there are some basic differences in the types of lithium-ion cells available in the market. So, before you decide which type of lithium-ion battery meets your need, you must gain some insight into the prismatic cells. It is the cylindrical cells that are most commonly used in Lithium-ion battery packs. So, we will compare both the options for the consumers.

General Lithium-ion Cell Pack:

Cylindrical lithium cells are one of the best choices for consumers as they are mechanically stable. They are pretty easy to manufacture and mostly safe. And that’s the main reason why all companies manufacture them. If you are wondering what is it that is so great about these cells then imagine that the internal pressure of the cells grows too much. While the other cells will cause an explosion, the cylindrical cells are designed to rupture thereby mitigating the safety hazards. You will also benefit from longevity, low watt-per-hour cost, and the affordable price. Hence, they become the most obvious choice.

However, the cylindrical shape of the cells affects the efficiency. As there is a notable space between the cells, it further increases the challenges to maintain the efficiency of the cell pack. When the lithium-ion battery is well designed, it is possible for the device to take advantage of the energy-dense nature of the cells. And even the fee space can be utilized by installing a thermal regulation in the cell.

The common lithium-ion cells are mostly used in portable technologies such as medical devices, laptops, digital cameras, etc. The large-sized cylindrical cells are also used in electric vehicles and Tesla is the biggest manufacturer of these cells.

Prismatic Cell:

The biggest advantage of Prismatic Lithium cells is its thin profile, lightweight, and the effective use of space. Due to the rectangle shape of these cells, it can facilitate better layering and increase flexibility in the products. They are commonly used in mobile phones, tablets, and other lightweight electronic devices.

Still, the prismatic cells lack some features. Apart from the space efficiency, prismatic cells are expensive for both designers and manufacturers. Hence, the cells become much more expensive for consumers as well. They also die quickly than the regular lithium-ion cells as the thermal management system is not that effective. Another drawback of the prismatic cells is that it is very sensitive to deformation when it is exposed to the high-pressure. Every manufacturer has its own standard size and the average watt-per-hour price is also high for these cells.

Characteristics Of Different Types Of Lithium-Ion Battery:

Other than the cylindrical and prismatic type of cells, there are other types of the lithium-ion battery as well. The characteristics of other types of cells are given below:

· Button Cell: They are also known as coin cells because of the compact design. They are small and inexpensive to build. However, the button cells have the risk of swelling if they are charged too rapidly. Moreover, the button cells have no safety vent and they can only be charged at a 10 to 16-hour charge. They are not rechargeable lithium-ion cells and still used in medical implants, watches, car keys, hearing aids, and some other small products.

· Pouch Cell: As the name signifies, this is a new radical design for lithium-ion cells. Instead of using the metallic cylinder, conductive foil-tabs are welded to the electrodes. These cells provide a simple and flexible solution. They can deliver high-load current to the device but to make the best of these cells, it is recommended that you keep them under light conditions and charge them moderately.

As you can see, lithium-ion battery cells are available in different shapes and sizes which are preferred for various devices. But the last decision comes to the device in which you intend to use the lithium-ion cell pack. It is a technology that is not going anywhere for a very long time. Lithium-ion batteries offer features that are not found in any other type of cell chemistry. So, while you are purchasing the lithium-ion cell pack, consider all the aspects of your requirement and then you will be able to make the best choice.