We Should Know About Lithium Battery

Recently there was some concern about the safety of these devices when some laptops had to be removed from the market because they have defective batteries that could be flammable. Now a team of European researchers has created a new battery that promises to be safer and non-flammable.

Nowadays everything seems to be portable, like the phones and the computers, which is due to the advances made in the technology of the batteries. The most widely used type of battery in electronics is Lithium batteries. Its size does not diminish each year, as opposed to its capacity to supply energy.

But these technological advances are not without drawbacks. Recently, several computer manufacturers (including Apple) had to remove their Lithium batteries from the market after receiving complaints that some batteries overheated and burned the user's laptop. Several incidents of batteries that burned by themselves were also reported.

That is why a team of European researchers has created the latest in battery technology to ensure the safety of its users. The new Lithium battery is based on a polymer electrolyte, not on the liquid electrolyte used in conventional Lithium batteries. The difference is that, unlike older batteries, this new type is not flammable.

The reason for the great popularity of Lithium batteries is their high energy density and their voltage, up to four volts. However, they have a disadvantage in terms of safety: the organic electrolytes used in their manufacture are flammable

Myths

Is it true that before using my device for the first time I have to charge it for 10 to 12 hours?

DO NOT. Lithium batteries are much more efficient than those based on nickel, so they do not require an extended initial charge. In fact, no Li-Ion battery currently requires charges longer than 8 hours, regardless of the circumstances.

Is it true that the battery must pass several charge / discharge cycles before reaching its maximum performance?

DO NOT. Lithium batteries do not require a "run-in" period because their maximum capacity is available from the first use. To a Li-Ion battery it is indifferent that a charge is the number 1, 5 or 50.

Is it true that I must fully deplete the battery before recharging it to improve its performance?

Absolutely not. This is one of the most common mistakes bequeathed by the 'memory effect' suffered by Nickel-Cadmium batteries and, to a lesser extent, Nickel-Metal.

The composition of Lithium batteries makes partial discharges preferable to a complete. Worse still, if it is frequently subjected to total energy losses, its circuits may assume a malfunction that will trigger a locking mechanism. 80% to 90% of batteries considered 'defective' arrive at technical services for this reason.

But there is one exception: Batteries of large devices - such as notebooks - equipped with metering valves, can become unbalanced with use and deliver inaccurate readings. Therefore it is advisable to exhaust them completely once every 30 cycles, so that their levels return to zero.

Is it harmful to keep the battery connected to the charger if it has already been charged?

DO NOT. Unlike Nickel-based batteries - whose prolonged holding in the charger can damage them and even cause a fire - Lithium batteries have a circuit that cuts off the power pass once the charge is complete. This is usually indicated by a light on the device.

Of course, there is always the possibility of a fault or overload in the transformer, so it should not be left connected to the power grid permanently.

Is it harmful to the battery of a notebook that works always connected to the current?

How well they ask it because it is not only harmful, but a laptop is the most harmful scenario on which a battery can operate due to two lethal factors: heat and stress.

Warning: The heat acts by decreasing the resistance of the battery, so that its capacity to retain electricity will be decreasing. In fact a Lithium battery should never work at temperatures above 60 ° C (range approaching 40 ° C to 50 ° C for some notebooks). In turn, keeping the computer connected to the current being in use generates a constant 'stress', because it forces it to conserve 100% of its load.

The damage is such that a battery whose load is maintained at 100% at 60 ° C, after three months will retain only 60% of its total capacity, reducing its useful life to scarce 12 months.

What to do to avoid it? If you use the notebook as a replacement for a desktop computer, it is best to remove the battery. But, as it is removed, the compartment is left open, it is not recommended if the room where you work is too exposed to moisture or dust.

In the case of my PDA or mobile phone, does it not matter to charge it using the transformer than the USB cable?

According to Palm reports, use of the charger should be preferred since it always provides the correct amperage. The USB port of some computers - especially notebooks - will not always maintain the required 500mA, so it will take up to three more times to complete the charge.

I will not use my device for some months, how should I store the battery?

According to studies conducted by BatteryUniversity, every Lithium battery withstands the passage of time with 40% of its load. For example, a battery stored at room temperature with 40% charge will maintain 96% of its total capacity after one year; While one stored with 100% of its load will only retain 80%, in the same period.

For this reason, most of the devices have a small initial load: a 40%.

What is clear is that a Lithium battery should NEVER be stored unloaded. It can cause unrecoverable damage.

How long does a Li-Ion battery last?

If we talk about its useful life, new improvements are introduced in the technology so that - well taken care of - they can last between 500 to 1000 loading / unloading cycles, which translates into an average of two to three years (later Produces chemical wear).

If we talk about the duration of a charge, then it will depend on the characteristics of each battery and device, but here are seven measures that will help us maximize it:

* Keep away from heat: Li-Ion batteries are extremely susceptible to high temperatures, so using your devices in a cool environment will extend their functionality.

* Turn off wireless transmissions: Infrared (IrDA), Bluetooth and Wi-Fi are true vampires of electricity, being equivalent to keeping a mobile in use all the time. Turn off these functions when they are not necessary.

* Avoid using your CD or DVD drive: Spending is not only on account of the laser, but also the engine that spins the disc. And better not to mention the recorders ...

* Reduce the brightness of the screen: Some computers do it automatically, the less light they generate, the less energy they will demand.

* Removes memory cards or USB flash drives: Do not let their reduced dimensions deceive you, for to feed them requires an additional flow of electricity. This is especially true for small devices such as phones or PDAs.

* Avoid using audio applications: Even with headphones, sound generation requires a constant energy expenditure. Even worse if external speakers are fed.

* Avoid using the equipment: The best way to save energy ...: =)