The short answer is ‘no.’ We might be getting closer, but there’s still no guarantee that we’ll get there soon. Some automakers are looking at 2024 for the introduction of solid-state batteries in EVs, but others don’t see that happening until 2030. Expectations are high but unfulfilled. This FAQ reviews the anticipated benefits of solid-state…

A Bode plot represents the gain and phase of a feedback system as a function of frequency. It was developed by Hendrik Wade Bode in the 1930s and reflected the frequency domain behavior of a system. He invented it while at Bell Labs to help design stable amplifiers with the feedback needed in telephone networks.…

There are many sizes of cylindrical lithium-ion (Li-ion) cells, and the number of sizes continues to grow. Some are optimized for use in simple devices such as toys and flashlights; others are mainly found powering portable electronics and electric vehicles. This FAQ begins by reviewing the broad landscape of cylindrical Li-ions, including protected and non-protected…

Keeping EV batteries cooled is the most common thermal management concern. However, batteries used in cold climates often benefit from being heated when temperatures fall. When undergoing fast charging or extra fast charging (XFC) batteries may need additional levels of cooling. This FAQ first considers various active and passive cooling technologies for EV batteries. It…

Small self-powered systems, including wireless sensors and small robots currently under development, can use triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) and piezoelectric nanogenerators (PENGs) as prime power sources. TENGs and PENGs offer large open circuit voltages, low materials cost, ease of fabrication, and good energy conversion efficiencies. TENGs use triboelectricity, commonly called static electricity, to convert common mechanical […]

3D printing is the fabrication of a three-dimensional object under computer control, with one or more materials being added layer by layer. 3D printing, or additive manufacturing, is used across various electronics applications, including circuit boards, energy storage devices, actuators, and sensors. It can be implemented using a variety of technologies, including selective laser sintering […]

There are several differences between primary and secondary batteries. The most obvious is that primary batteries are single-use devices while secondary batteries can be recharged and used many times, but that’s not the only difference. This FAQ starts with a general overview of the differences between primary and secondary batteries; it will then look at…

Batteries are complex electrochemical and thermodynamic systems, and multiple factors impact battery performance. Of course, battery chemistry is at the top of the list. Still, factors such as charge and discharge rates, operating temperatures, storage conditions, physical construction details, and more come into play when understanding which battery best suits a specific application. To begin,…

A lithium-ion polymer (LiPo) battery (also known as Li-poly, lithium-poly, PLiON, and other names) is a rechargeable Li-ion battery with a polymer electrolyte in the liquid electrolyte used in conventional Li-ion batteries. There are a variety of LiPo chemistries available. All use a high conductivity gel polymer as the electrolyte. LiPos provide higher specific energies…

A lithium-ion capacitor (LIC) is a type of supercapacitor. It’s a hybrid between a Li-ion battery and an electric double-layer supercapacitor (ELDC). The cathode is activated carbon, the same as is found in an ELDC, while the anode consists of carbon material pre-doped with lithium ions, similar to those found in Li-ion batteries. LICs are…