Follow these tips to help minimize the risks associated with lithium-ion batteries. Check for signs of damage, and don't use batteries that: are swollen or dented; have torn, plastic wrappers; show other signs of damage or wear.
At SmarterX, my team compiled a dataset containing over 40,000 consumer products in the U.S. that contain lithium-ion batteries. We work closely with retailers and suppliers to better understand what chemical and physical properties make up their products and how they can and should safely handle them.
Keep lithium-ion batteries separate from each other when removed from products. Never use lithium-ion batteries, products or chargers that show signs of failure such as: venting gas. Don't leave lithium-ion batteries or products in hot places such as in parked vehicles. Don't modify a lithium-ion battery or use it in the incorrect product.
In 2016, 89% of lithium-ion batteries contained graphite (43% artificial and 46% natural), 7% contained amorphous carbon (either soft carbon or hard carbon), 2% contained lithium titanate (LTO) and 2% contained silicon or tin-based materials.
Common products that contain lithium-ion include smartphones, laptops, portable chargers, charging stations (battery backups and generators), ebikes, toys, e-cigarettes, wireless earbuds, drones, EVs, lawnmowers, snowblowers, chainsaws, and even some surfboards.
Identifying whether your device has a lithium battery is relatively straightforward. Most modern electronic devices, especially portable ones, use lithium-ion batteries due to their efficiency and compact size. Here are a few ways to confirm:
More specifically, Li-ion batteries enabled portable consumer electronics, laptop computers, cellular phones, and electric cars. Li-ion batteries also see significant use for grid-scale energy storage as well as military and aerospace applications. Lithium-ion cells can be manufactured to optimize energy or power density.