Although there are many experimental technologies that promise to provide more efficiency to the batteries of electronic devices (laptop computers, cell phones, etc.), for now, the reign of lithium ion technology continues, which is what we use in almost all batteries of modern devices. Lithium Ion Battery
Lithium ion (Li-Ion) technology uses a lithium salt electrolyte to attract the ions that trigger the electrochemical reaction that releases energy .
Among the main properties of this technology that made it popular, we find the reduction of the so-called “memory effect” of the old nickel-cadmium batteries presented, which consists of each incomplete charging cycle, the battery capacity decreased by the formation of crystals that prevented charging maximum on the material they were composed. Lithium Ion Battery
Although the memory effect of lithium ion batteries could not be totally eliminated, it could be largely minimized.
A high charge density is another point in favor of this type of battery over other technologies.
This means that using the same storage space, for example, with nickel-cadmium batteries, a greater amount of energy is stored, and it is possible to store it with other older technologies by reducing the size of the batteries, which leads us to further miniaturization of devices as a consequence . Lithium Ion Battery
Connected with this feature, it is possible to manufacture thin batteries, so that their integration into smartphones or wearable devices is very simple.
High voltage and constant discharge (always the same voltage) when in use are two characteristics that make it ideal.
This, simply put, means that these batteries are reliable and can be used without fear in highly accurate and reliable electronic devices, very sensitive to ups and downs in the power supply , such as computers.
Self-discharge (energy that batteries lose when they are stored without using the device that mounts them for a long period of time) is minimal and the batteries have a very long lifespan. Lithium Ion Battery
The care that must be given to this type of battery to keep them in shape is simple
If, for example, we are going to store the device that assembles the battery for a long period of time, it is recommended not to do it with the battery fully charged, but to leave it at about half the charge (between 40 and 60%).
Direct sun or humid environments are great enemies of this type of battery, so it is better to store them indoors with a very cool temperature (less than 20 degrees centigrade). Lithium Ion Battery
It’s also not good to let them fully discharge, although once in a while (once a month, for example) it would be nice to let them discharge up to 20 or 15% approximately to calibrate them.
A very important thing to maximize battery life is charging your device with a suitable charger.
The ideal is to always do this with the same charger provided by the device, but if this is not possible, charging should be done with a charger that respects the same voltage and amperage as the original charger, so that it does not force the battery to the extreme and cause loss of capacity or irreparable damage. Lithium Ion Battery
There are no downsides? Yes, among them a finite number of charges
This fluctuates, reaching thousands in a device such as a computer laptop or smartphone.
What happens after completing this flush cycle number? It depends on how we treat the battery, however it is more likely to lose its capacity in an accelerated way until it gives us a minimum autonomy. Lithium Ion Battery
This is most noticeable on laptop computers that have been in use for a few years and on smartphones that have been in service for a long period of time, usually for more than three years.
Excessive heating is another disadvantage of this technology.
Have you ever placed your hand on the bottom of your laptop when you work hours on it, or touched the back of your smartphone after spending a long time playing a game that requires a lot of hardware? There are devices that could practically be used to fry an egg…
Maybe this last statement is a bit exaggerated, but take the test and you’ll notice unusual heat.
This overheating can even end up in an explosion or combustion, as some Samsung Galaxy Note7 smartphone owners can testify. This one that the South Korean company ended up withdrawing from the market because of a problem with its batteries that could lead to an explosion.
Even today, on planes of several airlines, we hear a message prohibiting the use of Note7 devices turned on or charging, they must be disconnected and turned off.
