Li-ion batteries can store large amounts of energy, and they can support high rates of power delivery. They are the preferred energy storage technology for EVs and large battery energy storage systems (BESS). But if not properly managed, they can also present safety hazards. That makes functional safety a critical consideration when designing large Li-ion…
Battery-life-boosting ICs extend life of non-rechargeable Li-ion coin cells
Nexperia has just introduced the NBM7100 and NBM5100, revolutionary new types of battery life boosting ICs designed to extend the life of a typical non-rechargeable lithium coin cell battery by up to 10x compared to competing solutions while also increasing its peak output current capability by up to 25x compared to what a typical coin…
How does vehicle-to-grid technology work to improve sustainability?
Vehicle-to-grid (V2G) technology is often touted as one key to a more sustainable energy infrastructure. Like other areas where technology strongly impinges on economic and social interactions, however, the reality is complex and nuanced. Battery chargers can be a particularly daunting technical problem when implementing V2G. The charger must be bidirectional and offer high efficiency.…
How do liquid metal batteries fit in EV and BESS designs?
Liquid metal batteries are being developed primarily for battery energy storage system (BESS) systems but may find future applications in electric vehicles (EVs) and wearables and portable devices. The first commercial BESS using a liquid metal battery is expected to become operational soon, but the longer-term outlook for large-scale market penetration remains cloudy. The first…
What’s the difference between batteries for power tools?
There’s more variety available in power tool batteries than might be expected. Of course, various rechargeable Li chemistries dominate, and battery management systems (BMS) are critical, but there are also power tool batteries that can automatically switch their output voltage to suit the needs of specific tools; thermal management can be important for both chargers…
Automotive-compliant SiC MOSFETs boost subsystems efficiency
Diodes Incorporated announced a further enhancement of its wide-bandgap product offering with the release of the DMWSH120H90SM4Q and DMWSH120H28SM4Q automotive-compliant Silicon Carbide (SiC) MOSFETs. These N-channel MOSFETs respond to the increasing market demand for SiC solutions that enable better efficiency and higher power density in electric and hybrid-electric vehicle (EV/HEV) automotive subsystems like battery chargers,…
What are the different battery types for specific applications?
In this article, we will learn how to choose a battery according to the specifications and requirements of your application. Some applications need more power, and some need to be cheap with less power. There are various factors and parameters that to consider when choosing the best battery for your application. No one battery is…
Battery configurations (series and parallel) and their protections
A single cell is not sufficient for some devices. To achieve the desired voltage, the cells are connected in series to add to the voltage of the cells. The cells are connected in parallel to reach the desired capacity by adding ampere-hour (Ah) to reach the desired capacity. This combination of cells is called a…
Battery potential for large scale applications has been unlocked
On the opening day of EES Europe, Europe’s largest international exhibition for battery and energy storage systems in Munich, Brill Power unveiled a new product to enable developers of industrial and utility-scale battery systems to extract the maximum potential from batteries and deliver a range of commercial and performance improvements, including the extension of battery…
ABB helps iconic Maid of the Mist boats go green
Anyone who’s visited Niagara Falls in the summer has surely watched the famed Maid of the Mist boats ply the waters of the Niagara Gorge. The ships, which appear tiny from above, seem to get perilously close to the thundering water from both the American and Canadian falls, crashing down roughly 200 feet. Now, the…