Archive for: Battery technology
Any gadget aficionado is more than likely very familiar with their local electrical outlets. Gadgets, especially feature rich, drool inducing gadgets love to suck batteries dry. Unfortunately, batteries have so far failed to keep up with the demands that all of these extra features demand of them. Thankfully, Sony is working on one of many solutions out there that looks to be pretty intriguing. The new batteries feature an Olivine-type material inside that is considerably more energy dense than Lithium-ion of current.
Specifically, the Sony made Olivine type batteries have an energy density of 95Wh/kg and a power density of 1800W/kg with an extended lifetime of 2,000 charge/discharge cycles! Even more impressive, Olivine batteries retain up to 80% of their original capacity through that 2,000 charge/discharge cycle. In comparison, Lithium-ion batteries start showing their 80% limit in as little as 300 charge/discharge cycles with some of the more recent lithium-ion attempts by Apple going as high as 1,000 charge/discharge cycles while still holding on to 80% of their original capacity. Perhaps even more important and note worthy is that these Olivine batteries can be charged up to 99% capacity in a mere 30 minutes! Not only do these little wonder batteries last substantially longer, they are much faster in recharging meaning less down time for you and your gadgets.
At first, power tools will be the only gadgets to get this new found technology with consumer electronics to follow not too long after. Excited?
Source: Gizmodo, Sony Insider
Mobile junkies and gadgety geeks are always looking for ways to get just a few more precious minutes of battery life coaxed out of our favorite gadgets while on the go. I know how frustrating and plain unfair it can be to have your gadget of choice die on you in the middle of a trip with no relief (outlet) in site for several or more hours. Thankfully the forward thinkers consisting of Mathieu Servais, Camille Lefer, Clément Faydi, and Mickaël Denié, all third year students in France at the Industrial Design at Nantes Atlantic Design School can be thanked for a concept they designed that will someday possibly help us with our outlet withdrawal. It works by storing electricity picked up from differences in contact and ambient temperatures. A simple micro-USB cord and a depleted gadget are all that are needed to witness battery technology of tomorrow unfold before your eyes. Hopefully the inner workings of this concept can be ironed out relatively soon so that we can sport one of these fashionable/functional pieces of tech and venture out into the world, away from walls and wires.
Source: Geeky-Gadgets, Tuvie, Dyson
When the mercury starts rising, many people start heading for cooler pastures, particularly ones with nice soft carpet, comfy couches, and a nice ambient air temperature. That pretty much describes your typical living room. But for those unlucky souls who have to venture outside, a decrease in clothing is often warranted to keep them from melting. However, the true geek never worries about himself but about the life of his gadgets. When others are passing out left and right, you can proudly stand strong, displaying your Solar Vest. Featuring four solar panels and a capacious 8,800 mAh rated battery, the Solar Vest will bring complete freedom to whoever chooses to done such an article. Don’t fret on the matter of connecting your device as it comes with 7 different connectors. Hopefully that standardized phone charging port will work it’s way stateside so that won’t be neccessary. Charing any gadget provided you have the correct connector shouldn’t be a problem as the SV supports 5V, 6V, 9V, and 12-20V outputs. Chinavasion will be the destination of choice for those looking to pick up a piece of fine nerdy technology. If only that god awful “Solar Vest” writing were located elsewhere…in a much smaller font — Pricing still unannounced. Continue the eye candy journey right after the jump.
Now before you get all excited and assume that Samsung has come out with some earth shattering, mountain moving solar powered solar powered smartphone, I need to burst your digital bubble and come clean about the fact it isn’t very “smart”. But, what it lacks in higher end features it makes up for in it’s ability to trot around the globe uninhibited by such ancient nuisances like power outlets and cords. Samsung claims that for every hour of solar juice you borrow, you can expect 5-10 minutes of talk time. Nothing substantial mind you. But enough to get small points across. Besides the big honkin’ solar panel on the back of the device, hardware features are pretty scarce. However, Samsung is taking a different approach with the E1107 in the form of more not-so-average features. Just what kind of features are not so normal? For starters, this first few added features are actually pretty useful. The E1107 will alert you whenever the SIM is switched, sends out an SOS whenever you’re in distress, and will even get you out of those awkward social situations with “Fake Call” that will do exactly as the name sounds. Other notable features worth mentioning are location based call blocking (prevents all but the most important calls from going through when driving, biking, etc.) as well as a prayer reminder. Odd hodge podge of features isn’t it? Oh well. Civilians of India, Europe, Southeast Asia, Southwest Asia, and Latin America will soon be able to talk up a storm on this solar powered beast. Pricing still MIA.
Source: Mobile Crunch
It may seem like once every month or two we see another article claiming the next mashup of minerals/chemicals/compounds will somehow yield a dramatic increase in battery life. The articles rave on how the future of battery tech is near and that the technology in question will finally bring batteries up to par with the demands that gadgets and electronics place on them. The current compound combination that is garnering attention is that of Lithium-Sulfur. Much like Lithium-ion, Lithium-Sulfur batteries rely the transfer for electricity from one electrode to another but adds a different twist – the use of nanoscale carbon rods surrounded by sulfur in order to keep the contact between electrodes. Great, another compound combination making the same promises so many other types of battery technologies have claimed. Can it succeed?
While the futuristic contraption above (the Husqvarna Panthera Leo) is as of writing still a concept, the real thing isn’t very far off – 4-5 years says the designers, Husqvarna. The contraption, if you haven’t already figured out, is a battery operated riding mower. While push mowers that are powered by electrons are becoming more common, the riding variant is still being pursued. The heavier weight, longer mow times, and overall heavier duty use calls for greater batteries and battery technology. The benefits are your obvious gas savings, money savings, cleaner air, and happier planet. But what about the lesser known benefits that are equally as important? More info and pictures right inside.
In what perhaps is the “holy grail” of battery technology, wireless charging has fascinated scientists and tech nerds alike for some time. While improved battery technologies that allow longer run times between charges and different methods such as accessory aided wireless charging (more or less Palm Pre and Touchstone), the coolest and biggest goal to reach is that of wireless, accessory free charging. To put it in more lamens terms, pulling battery juice right out of thin air. Is it starting to sound like a science fiction movie?
A gadget lover no doubt has a deep hate for power outlets and power cords as they confine them, stifling their mobile freedom. Sharp on the other hand understands these deep feelings of hate and malice towards corded living and is announcing plans to start mass production on their “mini-solar panel” by June 10th. Production goals are currently hovering around 100,000 per month meaning a worldwide rollout won’t be super fast. However, the size, (67.5 x 41.0 x 0.8 mm), coupled with the ability to generate up to 300mW is certainly something to be intrigued about. A mere 0.8mm thick solar panel is something that should definitely shake up the mobile industry and bring some new found freedom to us gadget lovers and mobile professionals alike. Excited?
[Press Release]
Source: Crunch Gear
Battery technology is sadly lagging behind electronic/gadget innovation to the point where we are close to reaching the bare minium standard for runtime. For example, a typical 3G smartphone browsing the internet over 3G will get between 2-5 hours of runtime. That is pathetic. While different storage materials density goals are being developed and reached, something exciting and new has to come along. It appears that we are finally turning over a new leaf – the STAIR (St Andrews Air) battery. This unique and ingenious battery has a mesh section that allows air to enter and exit the battery. Why the ventilation? It’s the added juice for the road! Currently we don’t have any shortage of air so relying on it to greatly lengthen mobile runtimes is a big plus. It works by drawing in oxygen from the air around it which reacts with the carbon material inside effectively charging the battery. Granted, it isn’t strong enough per say to bring a dead battery back to 100% full just by sitting outside. Instead, it will greatly slow down the loss of charge when in use. Upon purchasing this battery the user can expect runtimes of up to 10 times longer! Sign me up!
Source: Ubergizmo, OhGizmo, Telegraph.CO.UK
