| We've all at some time or another used a lithium | | | | when processed, which is why our phones are no |
| battery. Now we may find ourselves using lithium | | | | longer 22 pound monstrosities. |
| batteries for more things than we expected. We | | | | The longevity of lithium when used as a battery |
| are already using them in our iPods and iPhones. | | | | has it now being researched for use in electric |
| Lithium power is quickly becoming the wave of | | | | vehicles in place of the current nickel-metal |
| the future, and the vast salt plain - the largest in | | | | hydride batteries. They will allow the vehicles to |
| the world - covers part of the country of Bolivia | | | | perform better and go further. Think of how nice |
| waiting to be harvested and turned into the | | | | it would be to have a car that ran as many hours |
| batteries we rely on to power our mobile devices. | | | | as your iPod or iPhone, simply by plugging it into |
| Covering almost 5,000 square miles - the size of | | | | the wall every night to recharge. Thanks to |
| Northern Ireland - this salt flat of Sala De Uyuni is | | | | automaker Chevrolet, we'll find out just how well |
| looking to become the power source of the 21st | | | | lithium-ion will power a new vehicle. With a push to |
| century. | | | | 'go green', the new lithium vehicle could prove to |
| Starting life looking like 'dirty slush', the brine of | | | | be the release from the oil dependency the world |
| the salt flats is actually a gold mine once it has | | | | is in we've been looking for. |
| been dried out by the sun. What is left is lithium, | | | | The first lithium-ion battery was produced in 1991 |
| the lightest metal found on the planet Earth. | | | | by Sony. The metal itself is very corrosive, which |
| Already it is the main source of power for our | | | | requires it to be treated in oil to prevent |
| iPods, iPhones, Blackberries, handheld computers | | | | oxidization and spontaneous combustion. The |
| and other mobile devices. Most people have no | | | | lithium-ion battery found in our iPods and iPhones |
| idea that this mineral is in such demand, but as | | | | have been dissolved in an organic solvent to keep |
| technology continues to develop and improve it | | | | it from getting too hot and exploding. When |
| could very well become a household word. | | | | power is added to the battery and a circuit is |
| Stop and think about what your mobile phone | | | | made, the lithium ions move about in the battery |
| was like just fifteen years ago. They were large | | | | and are set into motion, creating power. This is |
| contraptions that weighed around 22 pounds. | | | | why they are highly rechargeable and last longer |
| Today our iPhones are smaller than the palm of | | | | than conventional batteries. |
| our hands. The same can be said for our iPods, | | | | Like conventional batteries, lithium-ion batteries will |
| with the Nanos being just slightly bigger than our | | | | eventually use their ability to charge and hold |
| thumbs. This is because of lithium-ion technology. | | | | power. When this happens, you are looking at |
| Lithium-ion batteries are rechargeable and they | | | | purchasing a new iPod or iPhone. But by then, the |
| can hold this charge for considerably longer than | | | | lithium-ion industry will have made even more |
| any other battery. Plus it is lighter in actual weight | | | | progress and will last even longer than before. |