Types of lithium batteries

Primary (non-rechargeable) Lithium Batteries http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lithium_battery -- are disposable (primary) batteries that have lithium metal or lithium compounds as an anode. The most common type of lithium cell used in consumer applications uses metallic lithium as anode and manganese dioxide as cathode, with a salt of lithium dissolved in an organic solvent.

Lithium Ion Batteries http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lithium-ion_battery -- is a family of rechargeable battery types in which lithium ions move from the negative electrode to the positive electrode during discharge, and back when charging. Rather than being built with pure lithium metal (which can burn and explode) the lithium is bound as an ion in a chemical compound.

Lithium Ion Polymer http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lithium-ion_polymer_battery -- was evolved from Lithium Ion batteries. The primary difference is that the lithium-salt electrolyte is not held in an organic solvent but in a solid polymer composite such as polyethylene oxide or polyacrylonitrile. Li-Poly batteries are typically packaged in metal foil pouches that immediately give a weight advantage over other lithium batteries that are packaged in metal or plastic containers.

Lithium Iron Phosphate batteries http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lithium_iron_phosphate_battery -- is a type of lithium ion battery which uses LiFePO4 as a cathode material. LiFePO4 was discovered by John Goodenough's research group at the University of Texas in 1996, as a cathode material for rechargeable lithium batteries. Because of its low cost, non-toxicity, the high abundance of iron, its excellent thermal stability, safety characteristics, good electrochemical performance, and high specific capacity (170 mAh/g, or 610 C/g) it gained significant market acceptance.

Lithium Sulfur Batteries http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lithium–sulfur_battery -- are a type of lithium ion battery using lithium and sulfur, and have a very high energy density. Because of the high potential energy density and a "non-linear discharge curve", lithium sulfur batteries must be used with control circuits.

Lithium Titanate Batteries http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lithium–titanate_battery -- are a type of lithium ion battery that uses lithium-titanate nanocrystals on the surface of its anode instead of carbon. This gives the anode a surface area of about 100 square meters per gram, compared with 3 square meters per gram for carbon, allowing electrons to enter and leave the anode quickly. This makes fast recharging possible and provides high currents when needed.

Lithium-Air batteries http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lithium–air_battery -- is a class of lithium battery that employs a cathode which relies on oxygen reduction forming a discharge product. The two classes are the non-aqueous and aqueous lithium-air battery.