Current status of lithium-ion battery safety technology development

Judging from the current status of lithium-ion battery technology development, lithium-ion batteries contribute to the development of innovative technologies. They are lightweight, durable and will be invaluable in the development of consumer drone technology. However, they are also known for their volatility, and poor press ahead of the launch of the CTIA certification program means consumers and consumer electronics manufacturers are increasingly questioning their long-term viability.

Consumer electronic devices are becoming smaller and smaller, with many power-hungry functions, resulting in battery packs becoming smaller, but at the same time requiring greater capacity. Such devices are often carried in people's pockets, adding potential safety hazards and risks of personal injury. Consumer awareness plays an important role in promoting the safe use of batteries and deterring the purchase of non-genuine or counterfeit batteries and chargers because they are lured by lower prices without realizing the potential safety hazards.

This is especially important with regard to so-called smart batteries, which use the SMBus protocol to communicate between battery packs, chargers and end-use products. There may be a situation where the branded charger supplied with the phone is compliant with Level 2 of the SMBus protocol and therefore relies on the branded battery pack to guide the charging algorithm requirements. If a non-genuine battery is installed, it may not have this protection that could lead to overcharging. The same applies to non-genuine chargers.

It's true that today's increased battery capacity and end-user abuse are part of the reason for the bad publicity of lithium-ion batteries, but the manufacturing process has also been questioned. Many of the battery safety incidents involved are related to inadequate procedures to prevent contaminants in production. In this case, it is possible that metal particles penetrated the battery separator and caused a short circuit between the cathode and anode, causing thermal runaway.

Lithium Ion Battery

As the number of accidents involving lithium-ion batteries continues to increase, steps have been taken internationally to improve testing and quality control of cells and battery packs. This problem is now being addressed through the application of standards, including UL1642 "Lithium-ion Batteries", IEEE1725 "IEEE Standard for Rechargeable Batteries for Cellular Telephones" and "United Nations Recommendations for the Manual of Tests and Criteria for the Transport of Dangerous Goods".

For example, another key catalyst for improving lithium-ion battery safety is the introduction of the CTIA (Cellular Telecommunications and Internet Association) certification scheme. This is the United States' industry-leading program for mobile handheld devices, based on the IEEE1725 standard.

The positive impact of the CTIA battery certification program is seen globally, as manufacturers cannot exclude themselves from the huge potential of the US market by not developing products that meet this standard.

The CTIA program was designed in collaboration with leading cellular network operators such as AT&T and Verizon, as well as battery industry experts. It requires all products to undergo mandatory third-party testing and auditing, with certification categories including batteries, battery packs and power adapters, as well as complete cellular product systems. CTIA requirements now also include another standard, IEEE1625, which covers laptops with GSM capabilities using lithium-ion battery packs.

The future of lithium-ion battery safety technology development

Lithium-ion battery pack

The development of lithium-ion battery technology has played an important role in the pace of battery technology development, especially in consumer electronics. Today's consumers demand enhanced functionality and portability from mobile devices and other technologies. Lithium-ion batteries help manufacturers achieve this goal.

Although lithium-ion batteries still have some shortcomings, they have gradually evolved over the past few years. Improving the manufacturing process through the introduction of stronger standards, as well as increasing consumer understanding of how to respect these batteries, means that the safety of lithium-ion batteries has been significantly improved. This is a battery technology that has gone through bad and ugly phases and now has a good battery option that can enhance our daily lives. Bad publicity and safety scares should be a thing of the past, at least when it comes to non-counterfeit products. As lithium-ion battery technology becomes increasingly mature, it will become more and more mainstream in the supply and demand of electronic equipment.