Sustainable Battery Cells

Sustainability is becoming increasingly important in manufacturing and developing sustainable batteries is a crucial step towards a more eco-friendly energy supply. At Nichicon, we understand the importance of sustainable development which is why we create eco-friendly LTO batteries for a green power solution.

What is a sustainable battery?

Sustainable batteries are batteries that are developed to leave as small of an environmental impact as possible. To develop sustainable, eco-friendly batteries, considerations must be made when it comes to the materials used, the operation of the battery, and end-of-life management, meaning the recycling or disposal of the battery.

Nichicon produces green batteries with an emphasis on sustainability. Our lithium-titanium-oxide (LTO) batteries differ from traditional lithium-ion batteries in that they use titanium as the anode active material instead of a carbon-based material like graphite. Carbon-based materials present more of a risk to the environment if they manage to leak outside of the battery. LTO batteries have lower resistance and less electrolyte decomposition than traditional lithium-ion batteries which makes them more environmentally friendly.

Our LTO batteries are an excellent green power solution because they are designed to withstand normal and harsh conditions as they can safely charge and discharge at temperatures as low as -30°C. In these extreme temperatures, the lithium titanate anode does not experience thermal runway, unlike standard lithium-ion batteries. Our batteries have also been tested for external short circuits, forced discharge, heat exposure, shocks, vibration, impacts, drops, crush, overcharge, and more. In these tests, our LTO batteries did not rupture, or burst into flames.

What are the advantages of Nichicon sustainable batteries?

Our LTO sustainable batteries are an excellent green power solution that leaves a smaller environmental footprint than traditional lithium-ion batteries. They do not contain toxic or carbon-based materials found in typical lithium-ion batteries. You can expect our LTO batteries to operate more efficiently under harsh conditions with less of a risk of leaking, rupturing, or bursting into flames.

The main advantages of our sustainable batteries include the following:

Rapid charging: Our LTO batteries offer significantly faster charging capabilities compared to standard lithium-ion batteries. While a conventional lithium-ion battery typically takes around an hour to charge, our LTO batteries can reach full charge within approximately 3 minutes. This remarkable feature makes our LTO batteries highly suitable for applications requiring a compact yet high-powered battery solution.
Small size: Our cylindrical small sized LTO board-mount batteries, which are our smallest ever, measure as small as 3 millimeters in diameter. These batteries have an incredibly small footprint, enabling their utilization in space-constrained applications where size is a critical factor.
Long life: Our high-cycle life batteries boast a longevity of over 25,000 charge/discharge cycles. They exhibit exceptional resistance to failure from both overcharging and over-discharging, ensuring prolonged usage.
Maintenance free: Our LTO batteries require no maintenance or replacement. With no upkeep required, they offer unparalleled convenience and reliability.
Sustainable: Our LTO batteries are a sustainable and environmentally conscious power solution. These batteries comply with environmental requirements, such as RoHS.
High power density: Our LTO batteries exhibit a remarkable power density that surpasses typical lithium-ion batteries, rivaling the capabilities of electric double-layer capacitors (EDLCs/Supercapacitors). This elevated power density enables them to deliver superior performance in various applications.
Uncompromised safety: Operating with utmost safety, our LTO batteries are engineered to operate at a variety of conditions and temperatures, ensuring an exceptionally low risk of ignition or explosion. Their robust design ensures reliable operation even in a variety of environments.
Low temperatures: Designed to excel in frigid conditions, our low-temperature batteries can be efficiently charged and discharged even at temperatures as low as -30°C. The unique composition of lithium titanate eliminates the risk of thermal runaway, mitigating oxygen combustion reactions often associated with standard lithium-ion batteries.
High power discharge: Our high-discharge batteries offer an impressive range of discharge times that are as low as 3 minutes, vastly outperforming the standard lithium-ion batteries, which typically take about an hour. This rapid discharge capability provides a significant advantage in applications where short discharge times are required.
Low current charge: Our LTO batteries can be charged by very low charging rates (0.01C), charging currents as low as several microamperes will charge these batteries.
UL 1642 & IEC 62133-2 certified
ISO 9001 & ISO 14001 certified

What are the application areas of Nichicon sustainable batteries?

Our sustainable LTO batteries offer exceptional performance tailored to meet the power demands of space-constrained electronic devices. These energy-dense batteries serve as a green power solution, capable of functioning as a standalone power source or working in conjunction with other batteries to distribute the load and maximize the longevity of the primary power supply. With their high-power output and cost-effectiveness, they are the ideal choice for a wide range of applications,

including consumer devices, handheld scanners, data centers, smart metering, military applications, measuring equipment, and various other scenarios where compact size and high energy density are critical requirements. LTO battery applications include but are not limited to:

Wireless sensors
IIoT / IoT applications
Asset tracking devices
Energy harvesting applications using low energy charging sources
Space constrained applications

What is a Lithium Titanate Battery (LTO)?

The lithium titanate battery (LTO) shares many characteristics with the lithium-ion battery. One difference is the LTO anode. An LTO battery uses lithium titanate oxide, while a lithium-ion battery uses carbon. By using lithium titanate, the battery has a significant performance improvement.

How is placing the Nichicon SLB (LTO battery) on a PCB different than a Lithium Titanate or other battery?

The SLB is a battery with long leads, just like a standard capacitor. The leaded profile allows for soldering directly to the circuit board using hand soldering or a select solder technique. Lithium Titanate batteries require an additional mounting bracket or holder placed on a circuit board. The Nichicon SLB (LTO) take less board space allowing them to be used in very compact or densely populated circuit boards.

What is the difference between the Nichicon (SLB) LTO and Lithium Titanate batteries?

LTO batteries are safer; they have an extremely small risk of ignition if there is a short. The SLB, Nichicon’s LTO battery, has superior charge and discharge capabilities, such as a 20C charge rate. Even higher rates are possible with pulsed discharges, like those used in telecommunications.

What are the advantages of the Nichicon SLB series (LTO battery)?

‘The SLB can withstand up to 25,000 charge/discharge cycles and have a lower cold temperature rating than a lithium-ion battery. And its low internal resistance allows energy harvesters to charge with weak currents without loss. They will not ignite if a short occurs. In addition to the advantages previously mentioned, the SLB comes in aluminum electrolytic case styles and size.

What is the difference between LTO batteries and supercapacitors?

LTO batteries offer significantly enhanced capacity and extended discharge capabilities compared to electric double-layer capacitors (EDLCs), with minimal leakage. Rechargeable LTO batteries, in particular, provide an impressive 20 to 30-fold increase in energy density when compared to EDLCs of equivalent size. This remarkable feature enables LTO batteries to effectively replace EDLCs, delivering prolonged periods of power and meeting the demands of applications requiring sustained energy output.

What is the difference between LTO batteries and lithium-ion batteries?

LTO batteries excel in terms of charging and discharging speeds, enabling rapid energy transfer. Additionally, their extended lifespan outperforms that of standard lithium-ion batteries, ensuring prolonged usage and reliability. Safety is also a significant feature of LTO batteries, as they boast enhanced safety measures. Moreover, LTO batteries exhibit a higher power density, offering superior performance in terms of power output when compared to conventional lithium-ion batteries.