A lot has been written regarding rechargeable lithium (LI) batteries and sustainability. Primary (non-rechargeable) Li batteries can also make major contributions to improving the sustainability of the systems where they are used. This FAQ reviews some of the factors related to the sustainability of primary Li batteries including key performance indicators (KPIs), downcycling versus recycling,…
When to use energy harvesting and when to use long-life batteries
Energy harvesting (EH) can be an attractive way to power wireless internet of things (IoT) and other small devices. EH can be combined with rechargeable batteries, capacitors, or supercapacitors to provide enhanced performance. Depending on the circumstances, primary batteries can provide a more reliable and even lower-cost option. This FAQ looks at ways to classify…
Why self-discharge is important in batteries
Self-discharge refers to the declining state of charge of a battery while the battery is not being used. In most instances, self-discharge cannot be eliminated but needs to be managed. Too high a self-discharge rate can limit the potential applications for a battery. Depending on the battery chemistry and construction, there can be several causes…
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…
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…
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…
What’s the difference between quick charge and extreme fast charge?
Several things. First, quick charge is used with devices like smart phones and tablet computers, while extreme fast charging (XFC) is used with electric vehicles (EVs). Quick charge (QC) is generally slower than extreme fast charge. QC has competitors like universal serial bus power delivery (USB-PD), IEC 62680-1-2:2022, and USB extended power range (EPR). Tesla…