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00:08 The lithium ion battery used in electric cars
00:11 is made up of a number of individual batteries called cells.
00:15 These cells are linked to each other and controlled by an electronic circuit.
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00:22 A cell is made up of positive and negative electrodes
00:26 separated by a membrane and submerged in electrolyte,
00:30 a conducting liquid containing lithium ions.
00:34 [Music plays]
00:36 As for all batteries, the chemical reactions of lithium ions at the electrodes
00:40 generates a circulation of electrons between the electrodes,
00:43 an electric current, via the external circuit.
00:46 [Music plays]
00:48 The anode negative is made up of graphite powder
00:51 deposited on a thin piece of copper.
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00:55 The cathode positive is made up of a powder of alloys of cobalt,
01:01 nickel, manganese and lithium oxides
01:04 deposited on a thin piece of aluminium.
01:07 To generate an electric current, the lithium ions move from the anode to the cathode
01:12 where they capture the electrons.
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01:15 The charging phase involves the reverse action.
01:18 The lithium ions move from the cathode to the anode.
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01:23 Why use lithium?
01:25 The metal is light and easily releases its electrons.
01:29 It also facilitates the movement of electrons and is good for storing electricity.
01:35 [Music plays]
01:37 The lithium ion battery is light, small and recharges quickly.
01:41 It allows the storage of much more energy than other batteries and lasts much longer.
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