Lithium-ion Battery Anode Market

The use of lithium-ion batteries in electric vehicles (EVs) continues to significantly influence anode demand, particularly with anticipated growth in battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs). The transition to cleaner, energy-efficient transportation is driving the increasing adoption of EVs in consumer life. Bloomberg NEF estimates that EV sales surpassed 2 million in 2018 with estimates of growth from 10 million in 2025 to 28 million in 2030, and 56 million by 2040. Major automakers including Tesla, General Motors, Toyota, Ford, and Nissan are investing previously inconceivable amounts in EV production. The anticipated growth rate in EVs is substantiated by recent technological improvements in battery technology, less engine maintenance, less hazardous waste, and reduction of pollution from IC engines. The reality of EVs will be fundamental to aspiring projections of future transportation, and battery factories and anodes will enjoy considerable future demand.

Batteries can contain hazardous materials (like acids, mercury, and lead) that can be dangerous. For example, in July 2007, lithium-based batteries caught fire, which ignited more than 132,000 liters of burning chemicals, and forced authorities to close two major highways in the UK. Battery-initiated fires on airplanes is another area that has begun to concern aviation safety experts because related incidents occur due to passenger devices carried onboard. Some of these incidents are serious enough to cause emergency landings and found entire crews sitting on the tarmac; with the incineration still fresh in mind. The FAA recorded 18 lithium-ion battery incidents in the air in 2016; while there were 31 incidents reported in 2017. For example, in March 2107, a JetBlue flight returned for an early landing due to a fire rehearsal for a charging electronic cigarette whole in the carry-on. Security incidents with small devices led to a company recall of the Galaxy Note7 smartphone. Battery safety is an issue in airlines, since it is easy to discriminate lithium batteries from other types; many types of batteries are based on nickel or lead, lithium can ignite as indicated by some battery materials for Cathode deposits. In the case of batteries, it is important to use watertight containers to avoid contact with flammable materials and proximity to its Class D extinguishers or sand. The important thing to remember is that all batteries contain a charge, mishandling has the real potential to injure humans and property damage as a result. All batteries also present an ingestion hazard to children when they eject batteries. Finally, large lithium batteries may be confused with lead-acid batteries if not labeled correctly; contain the necessary ampage. Hence, good purpose is to label batteries in the containers, batteries should be sorted and labeled accurately, and complying with government standards are necessary for the safe storage and transport of batteries.

An energy storage medium is a system to store electrical energy. The concept is new, but it is quickly gaining traction. Evidence of the device's overwhelming acceptance is the device's role in addressing the issue of global warming. Energy storage devices are being embraced for use in hybrid vehicles and renewable energy systems. Lithium-ion batteries have gained significant attention for their high capacity and high performance and are perfectly suited for energy storage purpose at the utility scale. Large data centers use uninterruptible power supply (UPS) systems so that the data center operations are not jeopardized in case of power outages. The usage of UPS systems speaks to the sustainability of the UPS system, as power outages are unpredictable, and large batteries capacity are used by the infrastructure provider. The increased barrel of batteries used used energy storage systems drives demand for lithium-ion battery anode materials. The function of battery storage can also provide some level of stability to the power fluctuations and provide stable often uninterrupted energy. UPS and battery energy storage systems use element of the energy storage devices that sends a signal to ensure maintain reliable energy during utility operational fails. With the growth of data centers, the reliability of systems to have power must maintain high levels of capacity to act as back-up, therefore the contingent reliance that lithium-ion and lead-acid battery technologies play in timely operational. Implementation of Battery Management Systems (BMS) furthers the idea of reliability, as with BMS, the systems can monitor power deliverables like charging cycle of batteries or even the state of charge of batteries. The use of high-performance anode materials allows energy storage system have long life cycles and performance.

The utilization of lithium-ion batteries is widespread in consumer electronics, electric vehicles, electrical power systems, commercial aircraft, automated guided vehicles (AGVs), forklifts, pallet trucks, and material handling equipment. Lithium-ion batteries have the capacity to store a large amount of energy in a small package, however, when they fail, they can become so hot that they may ignite into flames. Overheating occurs for a number of reasons. Lithium is a reactive material, so when the integrity of the separator between the anode and cathode is compromised for whatever the reason is (including mechanical damage), it may cause the lithium to short out, creating a heat event. If there is a failure in the battery allowing fluids to leak from the battery, the fluid may contact other battery materials and may lead to chemical reactions producing heat. A software failure leading to overcharging of a battery could result from shutdown signals required for charging being missing, causing the battery to potentially utilize more energy causing the battery to swell. All the potential issues with the characteristics of lithium-ion batteries create ongoing challenges for lithium-ion battery producers and creates pressure to continually develop higher levels of current carrying and thermally stable anode materials to prevent overheating and enhance battery safety.