Ideal charging times for mobile phones

Published: 03 July 2021

What are the ideal charging times?

New mobile phones with even better features are constantly coming onto the market. What remains the same is the fact that the battery must be recharged after some time. Here, advice from the relevant experts should be heeded for one's own benefit: Many experts advise plugging the mobile phone into the mains before the battery level has reached 20 per cent and then only charging it up to 80 per cent!

It is also not advisable to immediately reconnect a mobile phone with a high battery level to the mains. Reason: Even if you only charge it from 70 to 100 percent, it can take another whole charging cycle. Mobile phone batteries are designed for an average of 1000-1500 charging cycles, and the less you have to charge in total, the better. Brand new mobile phones should also not be fully charged.

Does it make sense to leave the mobile phone plugged in all night? The built-in electronics prevent overcharging, but continuous power for several hours can cause additional charging cycles, which further reduces the lifespan of the device. Conclusion: Li-ion batteries should actually never be fully charged or discharged. If you take all this into account, you can enjoy your mobile phone for longer.

In June 2021 /  >> Download PDF

Solid-state batteries in electric cars

Published: 26 May 2021

Solid-state batteries

Solid-state batteries use a solid-material electrolyte instead of the usually liquid solid batteries, it is thus possible that a part of the solid electrolyte can be incorporated into the electrodes. This type of battery promises more safety (no fire hazard), shorter charging times and more range.

Currently, the biggest problem is the low current when charging. In general, however, the solid-state battery is regarded as a great hope of the electric car industry. Car manufacturers are investing billions in research and development. Some electric car manufacturers want to put the first demo cars on the wheels before 2025. The aim is also to use very environmentally friendly and recyclable batteries of this type.

In May 2021 /  >> Download PDF

Model library for battery-powered devices

Published: 08 April 2021

Model library accelerates development of battery-powered devices

A battery analytics company presents a library of commonly used battery models. It contains battery cells with different chemistry and in different formats for simulation purposes. The ever-growing collection includes battery models that simulate electrical, thermal and aging behavior. Another added value is access to the entire overview of cells and standardized cell data sheets. This makes it possible to make first and simple comparisons. However, users can also specify that no one else can use their own cell models.

In April 2021 /  >> Download PDF

Focus on new lithium-metal batteries

Published: 01 March 2021

New lithium-metal batteries

The EU research project HIDDEN is in the process of researching and developing novel lithium-metal batteries to eliminate certain disadvantages of the lithium-ion batteries in focus today. Longer service life and higher energy density are the determining theme. Improved self-healing processes will increase the service life and energy density compared to the Li-Ion batteries by up 50 percent. In addition, the manufacturing processes still need to be optimized. The very important goal is to prevent dendrite formation in lithium-metal batteries by appropriate measures. The researchers will assemble sample cells and then carefully review the results of the actions. It is expected that in about 3 years it will be possible for such innovative batteries to come to the market in a resource-saving and cost-effective manner.

In March 2021 /  >> Download PDF

New technologies at high-speed train pace

Published: 01 February 2021

Breakthrough: Supercapacitors with higher energy density

Mobile systems with built-in storage systems are highly up-to-date and can be found on laptops, mobile phones, garden tools and cars, among others. In addition to the storage elements batteries and accumulators, supercapacitors are again used. However, the energy density of supercapacitors is only 10 percent of Li-ion accumulators (up to 256-watt hours per kilogram (Wh/kg). Researchers have now succeeded in developing a successful, powerful and sustainable graphene hybrid material for supercapacitors, serving as a positive electrode in the energy storage. The researchers combined it with an already known and proven negative electrode of titanium and carbon. This technology already achieves an energy density of up to 73 Wh/kg. This is roughly equivalent to the energy density of a nickel-metal hybrid battery. Researchers are now relying on such hybrid materials to extend the previous performance limits for the better. A classic lithium-iron phosphate battery (LiFePo) has a lifespan of approximately 2000 cycles.

In February 2021 /  >> Download PDF