The potential for accidental combustion is a persistent problem for lithium-ion batteries; it’s one which a number of research teams across the world are attempting to address at the moment. Now scientists at Stanford University in the US have announced a new development which could help to make this a thing of the past, according to CNET. (more…)
Many retailers, including Amazon, have halted the sale of certain so-called ‘hoverboard’ products, also known as Mini Segways, due to fears that some use lithium-ion batteries which are prone to combustion.
Electric vehicles (EVs) are increasingly popular, but the Achilles’ heel of battery-powered cars is that they can be brought to a standstill if just one of the onboard cells stops working. This presents problems in terms of reliability and range, which is why German engineers have come up with a solution that should prevent such problems from persisting. (more…)
Devices use energy, as do humans. We need to eat every day to keep our body functioning, and it’s the same with the batteries in the devices that keep us moving and communicating – they need to be charged up.
The market for lithium-ion batteries for use in energy storage systems (ESSs) is set to grow globally by over a quarter in the five-year period between 2014 and 2019.
A team of researchers from the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research are the latest to declare their hand: a cell powered entirely by light that they have dubbed a ‘photo battery’.
The electric and hybrid vehicle market, though not yet making waves here in the UK, is burgeoning in the US and is set to explode globally in the coming decades. Currently, the best-selling vehicles, those from Japanese manufacturer Toyota, are powered by custom battery packs made up of nickel-metal hydride cells, while newer rechargeable cars are embracing lithium-ion chemistry.
Massachusetts-based SolidEnergy Systems believe they have made a telling breakthrough in lithium-ion technology. Attempting to follow through on their company slogan, ‘Reinventing the Battery’, the researchers have tweaked their cell’s internal structure; this makes it safer, more effective and longer-lasting than its traditionally crafted counterparts.
Taking good care of batteries, whether in use or while being charged or stored, is imperative to preserving longevity and performance levels. Before attempting to handle cells or assemble battery packs, an industry professional or battery pack manufacturer should be familiar with handling and storage guidelines.
The proliferation of lithium-ion batteries, with devices such as laptops, tablets and mobile phones all deriving power from them, has made battery testing a key area of research for every battery pack manufacturer. Quality and length of discharge and recharge, as well as the overall cost of manufacturing cells, matter hugely both in the consumer market and in batteries made for industrial use.