LI-ION BATTERY (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Sci and Tech)

Context: India should explore alternatives to lithium-ion batteries for scaling up electric mobility, the government's principal scientific advisor said, amid a global scramble for critical minerals.

Li-ion Battery

• Type: rechargeable battery.
• Battery Structure: Electrolyte and Electrodes in Li-Ion Batteries
• The government's plan to make India a 100% EV nation by 2030 includes a focus on the production of lithium-ion cells.
• The Nobel Prize in Chemistry for 2019 was collectively granted to John B. Goodenough, M.M Stanley Whittingham, and Akira Yoshino in recognition of their contributions to the advancement of lithium-ion batteries.
• Applications: Electronic gadgets, Electric Vehicle, Tele-communication, Aerospace, Industrial applications

Lithium

• Also Known as: White Gold
• It is a soft and shiny grey metal, that is present in the Earth's crust. 
• It's an extremely reactive and alkaline element.
• Primarily utilized in ceramics, glasses, greases, pharmaceuticals, air conditioners, and aluminium production.
• Major Global Lithium Reserves: Chile > Australia > Argentina are the top countries with Li reserves.
• Lithium Triangle: Chile, Argentina, Bolivia.
• Lithium Reserves in India: Karnataka, Rajasthan, Odisha, Gujrat & Andhra Pradesh.