My pal Tom turned up this morning on a new electric bicycle he'd bought over from England. It has L-ion batteries, but he was told that for another £100 he could have had the "new polymer batteries". Anyone know what these are?
Lithium-Polymer batteries are often used in cellphones, and other applications where weight is key. Instead of suspending the electrolite in a solvent like LiIo batteries, they are mixed with a polymer, pressed into sheets and laminated onto each other. Because they are constructed of laminated layers, a metal casing isn't needed, so they are much lighter and can be constructed in a variety of odd shapes and sizes. They are also non-flammable.
Lithium-Polymer batteries are often used in cellphones, and other applications where weight is key. Instead of suspending the electrolite in a solvent like LiIo batteries, they are mixed with a polymer, pressed into sheets and laminated onto each other. Because they are constructed of laminated layers, a metal casing isn't needed, so they are much lighter and can be constructed in a variety of odd shapes and sizes. They are also non-flammable.
OK then, What is thier charge-discharge cycle time like?. Do they require a dedicated type of charger?. Is thier amp-hour rating comparable to what is currently in use?. Would a fuel-cell be better, in this application?.
From what I've heard, they have standard mAh/Ah ratings, but the technology is still a little behind in the durability department. While a fuel cell would probably be "better" than using batteries in a lot of applications, the cost probably overwhelms the benefits.
