A little known chemical reaction helps extend battery life. Sol Jacobs, Tadiran Batteries As remote wireless devices become increasingly essential to the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), there is a growing need to understand the principles behind extended battery life. Many IIoT nodes require a battery-driven energy source. These off-grid low-power applications fall into two […]
Plastic battery holders have optional built-in on/off switch
The widely used Densi-Pak covered plastic battery holders now include the option to have a built-in On/Off switch. The built-in On/Off switch eliminates the need for additional components in designs using “AA” and “AAA” batteries – a candidate for self-contained powering components in a variety of applications. These high-performance Battery Holders are made with an […]
What’s the status of EV charging connector standards?
Connectors for electric vehicle (EV) charging are both standardized and changing. On one level, EV charging connectors are standardized based on today’s technology limitations. There are standards in major regional markets, including North America, Japan, the European Union, and China. But current charging technologies are power limited. This FAQ begins with a review of EV […]
Power supply safety standards for home medical devices
Patients using blood pressure monitors and CPAP devices in non-clinical environments are protected by IEC 60601-1-11. Ron Stull, CUI Home medical devices can provide an excellent first line of defense when dealing with health and medical issues, and there is an increased need for at-home care for patients released from hospitals and other healthcare facilities.…
Battery Management Systems: Effective ways to measure state-of-charge and state-of-health
By Denis Larkin, Integra Sources Ltd. One of the purposes of battery management systems is to monitor the state-of-charge and state-of-health of rechargeable batteries. This article will tell you about these two metrics and the methods used to measure them. Rechargeable batteries are used in many solutions, but industries use battery management systems (BMSs) to […]
Li-ion batteries, Part 5: Electrolytes
The electrolyte is often an underappreciated component in Lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries. They simply provide an electrical path between the anode and cathode that supports current (actually, ion) flow. But electrolytes are a key to battery performance, and advances in electrolyte chemistries are expected to be an important development leading to high-performance, safe, and low-cost Li-ions…
Li-ion batteries, Part 4: Separators
Separators in Lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries literally separate the anode and cathode to prevent a short circuit. Modern separator technology also contributes to a cell’s thermal stability and safety. Separators impact several battery performance parameters, including cycle life, energy and power density, and safety. The separator increases internal cell resistance, and the separator takes up valuable…
Li-ion batteries, Part 3 – Anodes
There are numerous cathode materials used in Lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries optimized for various aspects of performance, but the majority of all Li-ions still use graphite anodes. That may be set to change. The use of graphite with a theoretical gravimetric capacity of about 370mAh/g is being challenged by new materials under development that offer gravimetric…
Li-ion batteries, Part 2: Cathodes
Among the various components involved in a lithium-ion cell, cathodes (the positive or oxidizing electrodes) currently limit the energy density and dominate the battery cost. Today’s common cobalt (Co) and manganese (Mn) based cathodes were developed to overcome safety concerns with Li-metal anodes. This FAQ begins with a brief look at the longer-term trajectory of…
Li-ion batteries, Part 1: Building massless batteries
Battery cells, modules, and systems support many electronic, transportation, and energy applications. This FAQ briefly reviews the operation of rechargeable batteries and looks at the energy storage value chain; it then presents common battery cell formats and how battery cells are assembled into modules and systems, reviews the development of multi-function structural battery packs, and…