Battery technical

How does a lithium-ion battery work?

Like any battery, a lithium-ion cell has a positively charged cathode and a negatively charged anode. Between these two electrodes is an anhydrous liquid electrolyte with salts that make it conductive. A separator made of microporous plastic divides the anode from the cathode to prevent short circuiting.
In a discharged state, the cathode consists of a lithium metal oxide, whereby the metal may be cobalt, manganese or nickel. The anode is made of graphite, i.e. carbon. When a charge is applied, the voltage causes the lithium ions to migrate to the anode. When all the ions have arrived there, the battery is fully charged. As electricity is consumed, the ions make their way back to the cathode – which incidentally comes from the Greek word "kathodos".