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This sounds alarming, but one difference I think is that a lithium batteries are not fuel in the sense that they are consumed immediately like gas/diesel. Of co

This sounds alarming, but one difference I think is that a lithium batteries are not fuel in the sense that they are consumed immediately like gas/diesel. Of course they have a limited lifespan, but I read elsewhere that lithium batteries can be partially recycled for raw materials.

Zenst 8y ago
Yes, a big plus for lithium. However, demand and usage will only increase need for lithium out in the field and that could prove a bumpy curve and with all resources of a finite amount, we hit a plateau. Question is, will demand outstrip supply or will supply manage to maintain a pace that stays at least equal to that demand. It is with this in mind, that I call it the new oil.
- ericd 8y ago
  You can evaporate sea water to get it. For now, seems functionally infinite.
  - ksec 8y ago
    Except we don't have any way to do it economically.
    - ericd 8y ago
      What’s expensive about it?
usrusr 8y ago
> lithium batteries are not fuel I really hope that this is not exactly what the desperate end of the disposal chain will look like once it is fully formed.
knodi123 8y ago
Lithium is an element. What happens to lithium batteries over time that makes the lithium no longer lithiumish enough?
- taeric 8y ago
  I'm also curious on this. My understanding is that common computer li-ion batteries basically expire after a few years. Whether you use them or not. Sorta sucks, as I used to buy spare batteries for laptops. Turned out, the spares would be as bad as the worn out one in the computer.
- vel0city 8y ago
  The anodes and cathodes of the cells tend to acquire a film of lithium and electrolyte oxides which reduce the coulombic efficiency of the cells, i.e. it makes it harder for the electrons to interface between the anodes and cathodes. I don't see a reason why we cannot extract the lithium from old cells for reuse, other than economic efficiencies of fresh lithium supply versus the cost of sorting, unpacking, and extracting from old batteries.

Zenst 8y ago

Yes, a big plus for lithium. However, demand and usage will only increase need for lithium out in the field and that could prove a bumpy curve and with all resources of a finite amount, we hit a plateau. Question is, will demand outstrip supply or will supply manage to maintain a pace that stays at least equal to that demand. It is with this in mind, that I call it the new oil.

ericd 8y ago
You can evaporate sea water to get it. For now, seems functionally infinite.
- ksec 8y ago
  Except we don't have any way to do it economically.
  - ericd 8y ago
    What’s expensive about it?

usrusr 8y ago

> lithium batteries are not fuel I really hope that this is not exactly what the desperate end of the disposal chain will look like once it is fully formed.

knodi123 8y ago

Lithium is an element. What happens to lithium batteries over time that makes the lithium no longer lithiumish enough?

taeric 8y ago
I'm also curious on this. My understanding is that common computer li-ion batteries basically expire after a few years. Whether you use them or not. Sorta sucks, as I used to buy spare batteries for laptops. Turned out, the spares would be as bad as the worn out one in the computer.
vel0city 8y ago
The anodes and cathodes of the cells tend to acquire a film of lithium and electrolyte oxides which reduce the coulombic efficiency of the cells, i.e. it makes it harder for the electrons to interface between the anodes and cathodes. I don't see a reason why we cannot extract the lithium from old cells for reuse, other than economic efficiencies of fresh lithium supply versus the cost of sorting, unpacking, and extracting from old batteries.