Recent progress in rechargeable nickel/metal hydride and lithium-ion miniature rechargeable batteries

VARTA is searching for alternative battery solutions for memory back-up and bridging applications, and for this, it is developing nickel/metal hydride and lithium-ion button cells. Presented are the results on different sizes and forms of lithium-ion cells (621, 1216 and 2025) containing different electrode materials and shapes. Presently, the most favoured cathode material is lithiated manganese dioxide. The electrodes are made from both solid and porous materials and, together with an organic electrolyte, result in a cell system with a voltage level of approximately three. Included are results, both from these lithium-ion cells, and also from ones using the nickel/metal hydride system.