Having sufficient energy to power portable electronics continues to challenge battery manufacturers. Each application has its own unique requirements. For example, knowing when a battery is near the end of its useful life is especially important for applications where long life is expected and it is difficult to replace the battery. Providing up to 16 hours of video viewing from an Apple iPod video unit is now possible with one new battery. Hybrid electric vehicles pose special challenges to batteries and plug-in hybrids have even different requirements. Each one of these lithium battery applications uses a different chemistry.
Battery with End-of-Life Indication
The advantages of lithium thionyl chloride cell batteries over typical lithium ion batteries include a higher cell voltage of 3.6 and 3.9V versus 3.0V, higher capacity, such as 19 Ah for D size cell versus 7 Ah and a wide operating temperature range of -40 to 85C versus 0 to 60C. However, the cell's stable voltage makes detecting the end of the battery's useful life very difficult. Tadiran Batteries' long-life lithium batteries now offer an end-of-life indication that allows the user the ability to schedule battery replacements. The PulsesPlus series has two types of lithium thionyl chloride cell batteries with an end-of-life indication. Based on the addition of a hybrid layer capacitor (HLC), the 3.6V system indicates end-of-life when the battery has used 95 percent of its capacity and the 3.9V system indicates when 90 percent capacity is used. The target applications include those where the battery needs to last a long time and it is impracticable or not feasible to continually check on its remaining life, such as wireless remote sensors, oceanographic devices and RFID toll tags.
Portable Video Battery Pack
Frequent battery recharging for today's small and compact iPod has become commonplace. Not so with NewerTech's NuPower ViDEO+ rechargeable battery pack. The new battery supports 80 hours of music, 16 hours of video or five 3-hour movies on one charge and works with any 30, 60 or 80 GB Apple iPod video model. Measuring 4 3/8 × 2 1/16 × 1 inch and weighing 3.9 oz, the lithium-polymer battery has a charging time of approximately three hours. With a capacity of 2,100 mAh at 3.7V, the lightweight battery can also be used as a portable charger delivering up to three charges to the iPod Video's internal battery. Pushing the unit's power button illuminates LEDs on the front of the base to indicate Power ON and battery charge status.
Hybrid Electric Vehicle Lithium-Ion Battery
Specifically designed for Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEV) and Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEV), A123Systems' 32-series lithium-ion cells provide safety, long life, abuse-tolerance and exceptional power. Based on proven chemistry and Nanophosphate electrode design in the mass-produced ANR26650M1 cell, the company now offers the 32113 M1Ultra and 32157 M1HD. The 32113 M1Ultra delivers higher power than the traditional 26650M1 and meets HEV application requirements. Targeting the higher energy requirements of the PHEVs, the 32157 uses a more energy dense electrode without compromising the power capability needed for charge-sustaining operation. The cells were designed to deliver 10+ year and 150,000 mile projected life requirements in engineered automotive battery packs.
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