Powering Portable Devices

For portable products, batteries provide the power source. When the battery is dead, even the coolest product becomes a paperweight. With the increasing amount of portable products, a number of approaches to increase operating time is appearing. In many cases, larger battery modules are obtained by combining high volume cells into a higher current and/or higher voltage assembly for higher power applications. For some portable applications, a battery replacement module is an alternative to a dead battery.

HIGHLY STABLE LITHIUM-ION BATTERY

Valence Technology Inc.'s Saphion technology for lithium-ion batteries targets high performance with stable chemistry and a high rate capability. The design incorporates a phosphate-based cathode material in place of a traditional Lithium-ion approach that uses a cobalt-oxide cathode material. As a result, Saphion batteries have an extraordinary life cycle and long service life. The technology is flexible and can be used in wound cylindrical, wound prismatic, and polymer battery construction types. Several cells packaged as a module or battery pack can provide the power source for applications such as electric and hybrid vehicles. For example, the Saphion technology Powered U-Charge, a family of 12V Lithium-ion energy storage systems, has a specific energy of 93 Wh/kg and energy density of 143 Wh/l compared to a sealed lead-acid battery's specific energy values of 26 to 29 Wh/kg and energy density of 56 to 74 Wh/l. The storage technology targets traditional Lithium-ion applications for individual and commercial users as well as emerging markets not currently served by Lithium-ion technology, such as the telecom, utility, and automotive industries. For more information on Valence Technology's Saphion technology storage cells, go tohttp://rbi.ims.ca/4416-688.

FLEXIBLE LITHIUM POLYMER BATTERY

VARTA Microbattery GmbH PoLiFlex lithium polymer batteries are flexible and can be shaped to suit any device. By stacking the electrodes on top of each other and then thermo-bonding them together, units can be combined to achieve a specific output size and performance. The 370-mAh model is only 2.8 mm high, 34 mm wide and 41.5 mm long, and the 1,000-mAh model measures 4.2×66×35 mm including the electronic safety module. The spacing saving units contain no heavy metals and no free, liquid electrolytes. For more information on VARTA's PoLiFlex lithium polymer batteries, go tohttp://rbi.ims.ca/4416-689.

DISPOSABLE BATTERY/CHARGER

Compact Power System's Cellboost is a disposable battery/charger that provides 60 minutes of additional usage when the internal battery of a portable product is discharged and there is no charger or ac outlet available. The unit simply plugs into the portable device's charging port and is discarded when empty. The battery/charger works within minutes to simultaneously allow usage of the portable product and recharges the internal battery. The energy transfer occurs instantly and can be used all at once or in multiple sessions. Specific battery designs address cell phones, smart phones, such as Blackberry, portable games, camcorders and iPods. For more information regarding Compact Power System's Cellboost disposable battery, go tohttp://rbi.ims.ca/4416-690.