By Pamela Mansfield, JEOL USA As the market for renewable energy sources and electric vehicles grows, the need for reliable, high-capacity energy storage is increasing too. Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) fit the bill in many ways, but plenty of challenges remain ahead, such as understanding their microstructure. This article describes how scanning electron microscopy (SEM) can…
Tiny prismatic supercapacitor enables design of batteryless or more battery-efficiency devices
CAP-XX has launched its DMV750 ultra-thin 2.2mm prismatic 3V supercapacitor to provide high performance for IoT, medical, and other space-constrained and mission-critical electronic devices. Ultra-thin 3V prismatic supercap can efficiently store and release the energy needed to drive peak-power functions in IoT, medical and other space-constrained and mission-critical electronic devices. The 750mF supercap can complement 3V coin cell […]
How can sensors save energy and improve sensor node battery life?
In a battery-powered, wireless sensing node, the biggest energy consumer typically is the RF transmitter. The transceiver should have extremely low power in active, wait and even sleep modes. A one-second snapshot of the current consumption in the various portions of the transmission cycle shows the current draw of 15 mA for the 7.5-ms receive…
Modular fuse holders aid completion of overcurrent protection circuits
AutomationDirect has added new Socomec modular Midget and CC Class fuse holders to aid with the completion of overcurrent protection circuits in industrial systems. These finger-safe, DIN-rail mounted fuse holders are available in 1-, 2-, or 3-pole versions with a blown fuse LED indicator on select models. They are offered with up to a 30…
Need a really long-life battery or heat? Try a radioisotope thermal source – problem solved! – Part 4
Power-generation and heating units using radioactive decay as their primary energy source have been successfully used in space and on Earth for over 60 years. Q: How much power does a single Pu-238 RTG core generate? A: The newest thermoelectric converters using PbTe/TAGS-based thermocouples can produce between 100 and 125 Watts of electrical energy from […]
What are the six kinds of magnetism?
Diamagnetism, paramagnetism, ferromagnetism, ferrimagnetism, antiferromagnetism, and superparamagnetism are the six kinds of magnetism. This FAQ begins with a brief review of the basic sources of magnetism, considers the magnetic susceptibility of various materials, and then briefly presents the characteristics of the six types of magnetism. The root cause of magnetism is the behavior of electrons,…
Rare earths and EVs — it’s not about batteries
Rare earths play an important part in the sustainability of electric vehicles (EVs). While there are sustainability challenges related to EV batteries, rare earths are not used in lithium-ion batteries. They are necessary for the magnets that form the main propulsion motors. The batteries mostly rely on lithium and cobalt (not rare earths). At the…
Ilika and Cirtec partner on mini solid state batteries
Ilika and Cirtec Medical say they have entered into a manufacturing and commercialization partnership for Ilika’s Stereax line of miniature, solid-state batteries. The companies’ memorandum of understanding outlines the transfer of Stereax millimeter-scale battery manufacturing to Cirtec’s production facility in Lowell, Massachusetts. RELATED: How tiny solid-state batteries enable smaller implants that recharge faster The deal…
What are the top ten Li battery regulations?
That depends. There is a wide range of regulations for lithium (Li) batteries. Some regulations, like those related to the transport of Li batteries and Li battery packs, have a broader impact than application-focused regulations like those for Li battery packs in electric vehicles (EVs) or industrial systems. This FAQ begins by looking at three…
Are Li-ion or Na-ion batteries a more sustainable technology?
That’s a complex and dynamic question without a simple answer. The electrification of everything is expected to lead to post-lithium-ion battery (LIB) technologies like potassium-ion batteries (PIBs), sodium-ion batteries (SIBs), and possibly more exotic chemistries. In the near term, the dominance of LIBs will be almost unassailable. The key word is “almost”. Among the keys…