Battery Academy
Welcome to Electrochem’s Battery Academy. Here you will find information designed to educate our customers on battery basics of the industry including chemistry comparisons, key terminology, transportation guidelines and more. For additional information and specific battery requests, please Contact Us today.
Chemistry Comparison Chart
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Chemistry Comparisons
Advantages: Excellent cycle life, long shelf life, fast simple charge, low internal resistance, high discharge rate, worthy load, desirable low temperature performance, forgiving if abused, easy storage and transportation
Limitations: Low energy density, memory effect, high self-discharge, environmentally unfriendly
Popular Applications: Two-way radios, portable medical equipment, power tools and consumer products
Advantages: High energy density - 40% higher capacity over standard NiCd, less prone to memory effect, easy storage and transportation, environmentally friendly, popular substitute for alkaline with similar voltage and performance, advantageous in high current applications
Limitations: Short life cycle, limited discharge current, high internal resistance, more complex charge needed, high self-discharge, high maintenance – performance degrades if stored in elevated temperatures
Popular Applications: Communication devices, audio/visual equipment, emergency lighting and consumer products
Advantages: Inexpensive, mature/well understood technology, low self-discharge, high discharge rate, no memory effect, low maintenance
Limitations: Low energy density, limited cycle life, prone to thermal runaway, environmentally unfriendly
Popular Applications: Hospital equipment, wheelchairs, emergency lighting and UPS systems
Advantages: High energy density, low self-discharge, light weight, long cycle life, no memory effect, low maintenance
Limitations: Requires protection circuit, reduced shelf life, moderate to high discharge current, subject to transportation regulations
Popular Applications: Portable medical devices, military radios, small handheld devices, emergency lighting and consumer products
Advantages: Light weight, flexible form factor, improved safety, ultra low profile, custom size pouch construction is more cost-effective in comparison to custom cylindrical construction
Limitations: Slightly lower energy density and cycle life in comparison to Li-ion, more expensive to manufacture on a per unit basis
Popular Applications: Cellular phones, portable medical devices and small handheld devices
Chemistry Comparison Summary Chart
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