| Compared to other battery technologies, Lithium | | | | The main disadvantage of the LiPo battery is the |
| Polymer (also known as Lithium-ion Polymer or LiPo) is | | | | controlled environment needed to charge these |
| a relative newcomer to the marketplace. Born out of | | | | batteries safely. Unlike NiMh which is capable of being |
| the necessity for higher capacity and reduced weight, | | | | charged at 0.1C (i.e. 10 percent of its capacity per hour) |
| the Lithium Polymer battery made its debut in 1996 | | | | with no risk of overcharging or explosion, the LiPo |
| after the technology was filed under patent (Patent | | | | battery requires constant monitoring of both |
| Number 5645960) in early 1994. Whilst Nickel Metal | | | | temperate, current and voltage by its charger in order |
| Hydride (NiMH) battery technology has been popular | | | | to reach full capacity whilst remaining safe. |
| with consumers for several years, Lithium Polymer is | | | | While the vast majority of new laptop computers |
| only now beginning to live up to its full potential. | | | | continue to be manufactured to incorporate Lithium-ion |
| As well as gaining a strong foothold in the mobile and | | | | technology, experts predict that over the next 24 |
| cell phone industries, the LiPo battery has quickly | | | | months Lithium Polymer will account for approximately |
| gained an excellent reputation in the fields of model | | | | 15% of the laptop battery market. The reason that the |
| electric RC aircraft and also electric powered RC | | | | uptake of Lithium Polymer in laptops has not been |
| cars. Due to the battery's ability to provide a very high | | | | quicker is that the laptop will require significant design |
| current for prolonged periods its market share has | | | | changes in order to disperse heat away from the |
| risen by nearly 7% in the past 12 months despite the | | | | battery compartment as even an increase of a few |
| comparatively high costs associated with not just the | | | | degrees will degrade the life of a Lithium Polymer |
| purchase of the cells but also with the charging | | | | battery considerably. |
| devices and controllers required to make use of them. | | | | |