2006-09-04
Superior technology design is necessary
In the modern days, mobility is more than a need. It has transformed to lifestyle in the form of mobile phones, laptops, portable DVD players, rechargeable torch lights and battery-operated shavers. At the back of all these mobility enhancing devices is the power centre or the rechargeable battery pack. These packs come in different sizes, shapes and ratings. While some are generic in nature and can be used in more than one product, majority are custom designed for specific products and applications.
Moving a step ahead, these products are used worldwide and predominantly used by domestic and international travellers. This calls for superior design to meet wider ambient conditions.
While rechargeable batteries can be made with active materials, lithium-ion batteries are the most common. These Li-ion batteries are constructed with coated anode and cathode foils separated by thin layers of a polymer material. A corollary to this can be a bread sandwich with jam applied in between. Using advanced machinery, such coated layers are wound to arrive at individual Li-ion cell. To increase the battery capacity, it is essential to increase the surface area of the active polymer separators, by increasing the number of layers.
However, the catch is to keep the size, shape and weight of the battery within mobility limits. This calls for applying thinner polymer separators such that more and more layers can be added between multiple cathode ? anode combinations.
Battery packs used for backup in such electronic devices are generally safe as long as they are adhere to the following norms:
> Strict quality control while manufacturing
> User meets operating guidelines
Safe disposal of used/dead batteries
> Quality control in manufacturing
We believe that thinner the polymer separators, better is the result towards size, weight and capacity. However, there is a limitation to this. When the polymer becomes thinner below the threshold limit, it poses a safety hazard.
If there are any contaminants or metal particles in these separators, there is possibility of cathode ? anode short-circuiting. If a large particle of conductive material penetrates the separator, connecting the anode and cathode, or a small particle of conductive material comes in between the anode and cathode, it results in short circuiting.
This results in ?thermal runaway?, where the battery cell releases all its energy at once. Here is the possibility of overheating and fire hazard.
Strict quality control measures ensuring no metal particles in the separators at the time of manufacturing, can provide safety for the users.
While all measures are taken by the product manufacturers to protect batteries from ambient conditions such as heat and humidity and electrical circuitry, it is still important for the users to adhere to operating guidelines. These are:
> Product usage within the specified ambient conditions
> Using the exact replacement batteries as specified by the vendors
> Using the right charger to recharge the batteries
It is important to meet the disposal guidelines too. Used and defective batteries cannot be handled the way the general litters are handled.
Thus, products from renowned brands like LG, having core manufacturing competence with strict quality control, backed with user awareness on do?s and don?ts can provide maximum safety to the users, while offering the best mobility solutions.
Moving a step ahead, these products are used worldwide and predominantly used by domestic and international travellers. This calls for superior design to meet wider ambient conditions.
While rechargeable batteries can be made with active materials, lithium-ion batteries are the most common. These Li-ion batteries are constructed with coated anode and cathode foils separated by thin layers of a polymer material. A corollary to this can be a bread sandwich with jam applied in between. Using advanced machinery, such coated layers are wound to arrive at individual Li-ion cell. To increase the battery capacity, it is essential to increase the surface area of the active polymer separators, by increasing the number of layers.
However, the catch is to keep the size, shape and weight of the battery within mobility limits. This calls for applying thinner polymer separators such that more and more layers can be added between multiple cathode ? anode combinations.
Battery packs used for backup in such electronic devices are generally safe as long as they are adhere to the following norms:
> Strict quality control while manufacturing
> User meets operating guidelines
Safe disposal of used/dead batteries
> Quality control in manufacturing
We believe that thinner the polymer separators, better is the result towards size, weight and capacity. However, there is a limitation to this. When the polymer becomes thinner below the threshold limit, it poses a safety hazard.
If there are any contaminants or metal particles in these separators, there is possibility of cathode ? anode short-circuiting. If a large particle of conductive material penetrates the separator, connecting the anode and cathode, or a small particle of conductive material comes in between the anode and cathode, it results in short circuiting.
This results in ?thermal runaway?, where the battery cell releases all its energy at once. Here is the possibility of overheating and fire hazard.
Strict quality control measures ensuring no metal particles in the separators at the time of manufacturing, can provide safety for the users.
While all measures are taken by the product manufacturers to protect batteries from ambient conditions such as heat and humidity and electrical circuitry, it is still important for the users to adhere to operating guidelines. These are:
> Product usage within the specified ambient conditions
> Using the exact replacement batteries as specified by the vendors
> Using the right charger to recharge the batteries
It is important to meet the disposal guidelines too. Used and defective batteries cannot be handled the way the general litters are handled.
Thus, products from renowned brands like LG, having core manufacturing competence with strict quality control, backed with user awareness on do?s and don?ts can provide maximum safety to the users, while offering the best mobility solutions.
