A battery is an electric storage device, which can come in a variety of shape, size, voltage and capacity, and translate chemical energy into electricity and is an efficient way to make electricity portable.
When two materials (often dissimilar metals) are immersed in a solution (electrolyte) they conduct electricity, between the "plates" causing an electrical potential. The value of this potential (or voltage) is dependant on the materials used, giving rise to a whole family of battery types each having benefits and restrictions in use. Examples are: lead acid, nickel cadmium, lithium, silver alkaline, etc.

Lithium Battery is "general name" that battery uses lithium metal or lithium aluminum alloy etc in its negative electrode (Anode). Due to its standard electrode having most negative potential, battery with lithium metal or alloy in negative electrode has high energy density, high voltage and benefits advantages of stable discharging level, wide operating temperature range, excellent performance in low temperature, long storage time etc.

• Lithium battery may be divided into primary lithium battery and secondary lithium battery according to charge or not.
• A primary battery can discharge once only, while a second battery is rechargeable. When discharge a rechargeable battery, its electrode volume and structure cause a reversible change. Therefore the design of a rechargeable battery must be adequate to adjust these changes. Since a primary battery internal structure is simple, it doesn't have to accommodate reversible volume changes. The primary battery has bigger quality ratio and volume ratio than rechargeable battery, however it has far bigger impedance, consequently the load capability is lower. Furthermore self-discharge of a primary battery is far lower than secondary one.

Primary Lithium Battery uses lithium metal or its alloys in negative electrode and other materials like manganese dioxide (MnO₂), thionyl chloride (SOCL₂), sulfur dioxide (SO₂), Li-I₂, Li-Ag₂CrO₄, Li-(CF_x)n etc in its positive electrode (Cathode). These batteries have a wide applications in medical equipment, watch, computer, laptop, radio, PDA, telecommunications, camera, water or gas meter, toy, military electronics, etc.

Gaston Narada primary lithium batteries meet market needs with their high technology and superior quality. Main products are: primary button type lithium battery, primary Li-MnO₂ cylindrical battery, primary Li-SOL₂ cylindrical battery, primary Li-SO₂ cylindrical battery.

Lithium-ion Battery: It's a high energy density, 3.6V/3.7V battery that is not compatible with ordinary batteries, but is widely used in the portable equipment market. It uses lithium metallic oxide (Li_xCoO₂, LiNiO₂, LiMnO₄) in its positive electrode (cathode) and carbon material (Li_XC₆) in its negative electrode (anode), with electrolyte LiPF₆, LiAsF₆ etc, and the Lithium ions inside the battery transfer between the positive electrode and the negative electrode during charge or discharge, namely Rocking Chair Batteries (RCB).

Lithium ion polymer rechargeable battery similar to the Lithium-ion but with a solid polymer as electrolyte. Some gelled conductive material is added to promote conductivity. It utilizes the latest technology to become available for consumer use in products such as portable computers, PDA, cellular phones, blue tooth, portable DVD and military electronics etc. Lithium-ion polymer batteries have high voltage per cell, and excellent energy on both a weight and volume basis. Additionally, they can be made in very thin and large footprint configurations. Lithium-ion polymer batteries use liquid Lithium-ion electrochemistry in a matrix of conductive polymers that eliminate free electrolyte within the cell. For operating effectively over a broad range of temperatures and conditions, Lithium-ion polymer batteries contain no metallic Lithium anodes.

Lithium polymer: A rechargeable battery using solid polymer as electrolyte. Most Lithium polymer batteries require heat to promote conductivity.

What is the difference between Lithium-Ion and Lithium-ion polymer?
Lithium-ion technology uses a liquid or gel type electrolyte that requires substantial secondary packaging to safely contain flammable active ingredients. This additional packaging not only increases the weight and cost, but it also limits the size flexibility. There is no free liquid electrolyte in Lithium-ion polymer batteries, which leads to stable and less vulnerable to problems caused by overcharge, damage or abuse.

• Gaston Narada Lithium-ion polymer batteries demonstrate the characteristics of high energy density, low impedance, long cycle life, flexible shape and excellent safety and reliability. Our Lithium-ion polymer batteries are ideal for lightweight notebook computers, PDA, cellular phones, blue tooth devices, portable DVD, handheld computer, MP3, smart card, watch, earpiece, emergency lighting, scooter and military electronics and other portable equipments. Because of the many benefits that Lithium-ion polymer has over other battery chemistries, this technology may be used in additional markets in the future.
  
• Advantages:
  Thinness and form factor flexibility
  Higher energy on both a weight and volume basis
  Higher voltage than NiCd or NiMH --- fewer cells are required to achieve application voltage levels
  Ability to create battery with large "footprint" for thin, high capacity applications
  Improved safety-more resistant to overcharge; less change for electrolyte leakage
  
• Applications to design:
  Has a high level of technology with new and exciting functionality,
  Needs to be light weight, portable and thin,
  Has either a large or very small footprint,
  And needs the maximum amount of energy available to achieve its purpose.
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When to charge a Lithium-ion battery?

Unlike nickel-cadmium and nickel-metal hydride rechargeable batteries, lithium-ion (Li-ion) rechargeable batteries have no memory effect, therefore, it is not necessary to fully discharge your battery before recharging. Actually, Li-ion batteries will generally last longer if you do not completely discharge them before recharging. For example, if you regularly recharge a Li-ion battery only after discharging it completely (known as "100% Depth of Discharge"), you can generally expect to obtain between 300 and 500 charge-discharge cycles. However, if you recharge the battery after only a partial discharge, e.g., 50%, you can expect to achieve over 500 charge-discharge cycles; even more if you use a lower depth of discharge, such as 20%. Therefore, you can effectively recharge Li-ion batteries even if they have only been discharged for a short time.

To maintain a healthy battery, follow the device manufacturer's charging recommendations, and do not expose the battery to temperatures above 60 degrees C (140 degrees F).

Pouch cell: A battery in which the typical metallic cylinder and glass-to-metal electrical feed-through is replaced with a flexible, heat-sealable foil package.

Protection circuit: Circuit built into the battery pack to maintain the safety of the battery and equipment in case of improper handling.

More is coming......