History of the lithium-ion battery

A Lithium-ion battery is a type of special battery that was invented in the 1970s. It is made up of two different materials, one called a cathode and one an anode. These are placed inside of a cylindrical container and separated by a special material called a separator. When you charge the battery, electrons from the anode move to the cathode, and when you use the battery the electrons flow back the other way. This process creates electricity, which powers things like your laptop, phone, or electric car. Lithium-ion batteries are popular because they are lightweight, they last a long time, and they hold a lot of charge.