Battery Technology Continues To Further Itself

Battery technology is, of course, a major part of our lives. From using portable devices to running electric cars, emergency power, and even running full-scale satellites. Batteries store chemical components to keep technology running and contain 3 important components to do so. The Anode, Cathode, and electrolyte.

The anode is the negative electrode that releases electrons by getting oxidized. The cathode is the positive electrode that gains electrons and reduces in size. The electrolyte transports ion to and from the anode and cathode in a cell and can range between solid and liquid form.

In 1799, Alessandro Volta, an Italian physicist, created the world's first electrical battery capable of providing a continuous electrical current to a circuit. Therefore, he was also the first to disprove the belief that only living things could generate electricity.

Electric Car Battery Technology

Electric cars are known to be a major defense against the world's climate crisis, although running out of energy too soon is a common worry for most. The Israeli company, StoreDot, currently develops new lithium-ion batteries. The company has already proven itself capable of manufacturing "extreme fast charging" for cellular devices. Now today, StoreDot is working to sell its consumers 100 miles of charge to a battery in about five minutes by 2025.

Lithium-Ion batteries have multiple benefits such as a greater density rate than nickel-metal hybrids, they can hold their charge for a longer duration, and most are made up of connected individual cells instead of one large one.

When it comes down to it, one of the largest incentives for buying an electric car is saving money. Most electric providers in the biggest cities in the country offer rate plans making this option easier on expenses. There's a median of savings of over $770 yearly. There's also the subject of maintenance costs. Without the need for your average gasoline engine, common expenses such as spark plugs or oil changes are unnecessary. This saves your average EV (electric vehicle) owner over $1,500 for the vehicle's lifespan.

Last but not least is the convenience. EV owners can charge their vehicles at home. In some cases it only takes a few seconds and is refreshing to wake up to a "full tank" each morning.

Power Bank Technology

Power banks can take charge from a charger and store it in a battery. Therefore you can use this battery platform to charge compatible devices such as tablets, phones, speakers, and electronics even as large as laptops.

The typical small power bank can charge just about 2500 to 3000 mAH (the length a phone can perform). However, with phones and phone batteries becoming larger, these stats aren't always consistent, although relevant. The average power bank should be charged 1-2 hours, and best not to be left charging longer than necessary at the risk of overloading.

Power banks, in general, are best used for those who are consistently operating or working from their phones or tablets. In most circumstances, they're handy for unexpected events where your device is losing power and you need a quick fix. This applies as long as the owner keeps his or her bank charged and ready for use. charged and ready for use.

The Future of Battery Technology

Time goes on and technology grows in relevance and capability. As prices drop, batteries are storing more and more amounts of energy over the years. From South Korea alone, researchers have demonstrated faster charging by juicing electric cars up 90% in 6 minutes. In the US, utility-scale battery storage could even double by 2022 based on the U.S. Energy Information Agency.

California is the current global leader in renewable energy with utility-scale batteries. The rest of the world is coming to do the same. There are plans recently announced for South Florida to get a 409-megawatt system and for London UK to get a 320 system.

Based on a recent report, most fossil fuels are predicted to reach the end of their work-life by 2035. Many businesses agree that it's time for a change. This is entirely possible if battery prices come down enough for a larger world-wide deployment.