Arbin Instruments

High Precision Battery Test Equipment

+1 (979) 690 2751
sales@arbin.com
Request a Quote
Menu
News

How Battery Test Equipment Innovations are Accelerating Battery Development


On this episode of MarketScale’s Software and Technology podcast, host Tyler Kern was joined by Arbin Instruments International Sales Manager, Richard Rogers.
Arbin has provided testing equipment for energy storage applications large and small for over 29 years and, with a decade of experience, Rogers is uniquely qualified to highlight the ever-shifting nature of that industry and its demands.


[Link to Podcast]
In particular, cutting-edge innovations like electric vehicles and more have driven a need for adaptation in the testing industry that helps solutions keep paces with new challenges.

Arbin’s battery test equipment is at the forefront of the industry, creating high-precision testing methods that help researchers around the world develop new battery materials designed to stand up to the durability and longevity demands of new industries like electric vehicles and grid storage.

“Instead of a battery needing to last for (~1,000) cycles and last for one or two years, like in your phone, an electric vehicle battery needs to last 10 years or more, and it might need to last tens of thousands of cycles and more,” Rogers said. “(It’s the same for) grid storage applications.”

To help push the envelope on testing processes that shorten development time and encourage high precision, temperature management and more, Arbin teamed up with Ford Motors and Sandia National Lab to develop new, state-of-the-art testing equipment prepared for these modern challenges.

It’s a simple concept, Rogers said – not all test equipment is created equal, and Arbin is committed to exemplifying the best of the best.

Can we make batteries that can repair themselves?

Self healing batteries have been a notable area of battery research and development in the past few years, especially as research around the dendrites and how they affect performance has also grown. Since batteries run on chemical reactions, there are certain side effects that people may not have much control over. The gradual build up of ions within the battery is one of them. There currently has not yet been a commercial breakthrough with self-healing batteries, but initial research has opened the door to the possibility of safer and longer-lasting batteries.

What are dendrites?

Lithium-ion batteries have been the most used commercial battery since the 1990s. In the past few years, researchers have discovered branch-like structures tend to form within the battery cell. Commonly referred to as dendrites, they form as lithium ions group together on the surface of the anode inside the cell. As more ions attach, the dendrites grow.

Not all dendrites cause serious damage to the battery. Researchers found that in some instances, dendrites grow evenly along the surface of the anode. In these cases, battery performance remained stable and posed little to no damage to the battery.

However, there have been cases where dendrite growth is excessive and affects the structural and chemical stability of the battery cell. The dendrites can lead to unwanted reactions between the electrolyte and lithium, and cause hotspots or electrical shorts. They have also been found to pierce through the separator of the battery, compromising the electrochemical stability of the cell. It is speculated that some battery fires and explosions are a result of dendrite growth.

Because of the formation of these dendrites, there has been hesitation to adopt lithium-metal batteries. These would have a higher energy density but at the same time their chemical makeup would further encourage dendrite growth. This is why researchers are trying to uncover more efficient and durable materials.

How would self-healing batteries work?

In theory, self-healing batteries would not only provide a safer energy storage solution by reducing the risk of electrochemical instability, they would also be longer lasting because the internal damage that is generated can be reduced. Currently, there are two types of batteries that have been tested and shown potential. These are a solid-polymer electrolyte battery, and a potassium-based battery.

Last year, researchers at the University of Illinois developed a solid-polymer electrolyte that could self-heal after damage. The electrolyte consists of network polymer. They found that the cross-linking point of the electrolyte could undergo exchange reactions and swap polymer strands. This means that the polymer becomes stiffer when heated and effectively deters dendrite growth as ions are unable to group together.

On the other hand, the potassium-based battery self-heals by reversing dendrite growth. Researchers found a way to raise the temperature inside the battery just enough to encourage the dendrites to self-heal off the anode. They applied just enough heat to encourage diffusion, smoothing the accumulated metal off the anode, but not enough to melt the potassium metal and compromise the battery.

What could this lead to in the future?

Both types of batteries are still in the early stages of development, but the technology has shown its promise in creating safer and more stable batteries.

In the case of the solid-polymer electrolyte, it would also reduce the current danger from the flammable liquid electrolyte commonly found inside lithium-ion batteries. 

Batteries that are safer and can maintain efficiency with greater longevity would benefit renewable and green technologies such as grid storage, EVs, and renewable energy, propelling the world into more sustainable and long-term energy solutions.

An Electric Truck? Absolutely! It Might Be Your Perfect Fit

By now, you’re familiar with the wave of electric vehicles (EVs) sweeping across the globe – they’re a forward-thinking, environmentally conscious option that many have come to associate not only with sustainability, but with aesthetics and performance.

But, when you close your eyes and envision the future of our shared roadways, how often do you picture an electric truck?

These new, electric trucks are some of the most exciting innovations to come out of the EV movement – and, apparently, also one of the industry’s best-kept secrets.

It’s time to change that.

Much More Than a Toned-Down Truck

There are many common misconceptions surrounding electric trucks – ideas that they don’t perform the same, aren’t as powerful, don’t elicit the same feeling of a traditional, gas-powered truck, and can’t provide the get-up-and-go when you need it, among other assumptions, keep many away.

However, all of those preconceived notions are inaccurate.

In fact:

  • Electric trucks have comparable strength and power.
    The pickup crowd is often quick to point out that electric vehicles simply don’t have the same muscle as their tried-and-true gas counterparts, though that isn’t the case. Electric motors can provide serious torque and towing capabilities, meaning that owners who leverage their trucks for heavy-duty applications won’t have to miss out on those capabilities.
  • They have long-range batteries and actually promote better handling.
    Trucks can actually better accommodate larger, longer-range batteries than other EVs, meaning that the range on electric trucks is better than most imagine. Also, a lower center of gravity could improve upon one undesirable aspect of traditional trucks – their handling and top-heavy nature.
  • They have sports car-like acceleration.
    Electric truck owners also won’t need to sacrifice a little bit of fun. EVs, in general, get a bad reputation for lacking acceleration, but modern electric motors can deliver the quick acceleration so many seek out in their vehicles.

So, What Options Are Out There?

Currently, there are plans for several legacy carmakers, such as Ford and Chevy, to convert their traditional pickup lines into electric offerings.

However, options from EV mainstay Tesla and an exciting startup in Rivian could reshape the industry.

Let’s take a closer look.

The Tesla Cybertruck

Tesla’s truck offering – which is futuristic looking, to say the least – offers:

  • A durable exoskeleton made from cold-rolled stainless steel and Tesla armor glass
  • Up to 3,500 pounds of payload capacity
  • 100 cubic feet of exterior, lockable storage
  • A towing capacity of over 14,000 pounds
  • Adaptive air suspension
  • 0-60 in as little as 2.9 seconds
  • 500 miles of range

The Rivian R1T

Featuring a more traditional pickup truck aesthetic, the R1T offers:

  • 400+ miles of range
  • 0-60 in three seconds
  • A quad motor system
  • A wading depth of over three feet
  • A towing capacity of 11,000 pounds
  • Up to 750 horsepower
  • Extensive lockable storage

The Future of EVs Keeps on Trucking

It’s clear that electric trucks have a wide variety of benefits and potential applications – from boosts to fleet efficiency and heavy-duty individual applications to luxury lifestyle choices and more, electric trucks are ready to make a big splash in the coming years.

And Arbin’s battery testing capabilities are helping to make that possible, aiding the industry in developing long-lasting, high-performance batteries that help EVs reach their full potential.

To learn more about Arbin’s key role at the forefront of the EV industry, visit arbin.com/battery-test-applications-electric-vehicle/.

The Benefits of Arbin Instruments’ 3-Electrode Coincell Test Solution

Using a reference electrode, or RE, is critical in the research of battery materials. It allows researchers to measure and differentiate the contribution of each component in the cell to the cell’s overall performance, providing a clearer picture of the cell.

To find which electrode, either the anode or cathode, limits the cell performance during long-term testing, three-electrode experiments are particularly useful, preventing wasted time and resources blindly testing one electrode or the other under various conditions to find a meaningful result.

To that end, coincells are the more common format for early materials development. Faster development can be achieved by decoupling test results between positive and negative electrodes, since each can be evaluated simultaneously in the context of the full cell.

Arbin’s 3-Electrode Coincell Test Solution

Arbin has developed its MSTAT with 3-Electrode Package to make this critical process as easy as possible.

The MSTAT features 4-64 channels, a -5 to 5V range, a 5A max current, and optional EIS and multi-chamber functionality.

Each channel is an independent potentiostat/galvanostat, giving you full control of test profiles and data logging. In this way, Arbin’s solution delivers unmatched flexibility and agility.

In addition, the MSTAT features holders that plug directly into the unit, an overall compact and easy-to-use design, cells that include case, cap and gasket, SS316 stainless steel construction, and optional nickel coating.

The Arbin complete three-electrode test solution includes the MSTAT, patented thee-electrode kits, the MZTC Multi-Chamber and integrated EIS.

Primary applications for Arbin’s solution include life-cycle testing, dQ/dV and Coulombic Efficiency measurements, PITT/GITT, symmetric-cell testing, cyclic and linear sweep voltammetry, chronoamperometry, and more.

Offering higher resolution, improved software algorithms, new methods of temperature management, a patented shunt design, new time-keeping methods and improved materials, Arbin’s solutions offer precision that’s critical for long-term battery testing and projections.

Arbin’s Solution Delivers Results

By leveraging Arbin’s complete three-electrode testing solution, you can get clear, accurate and efficient results.

Utilizing the aforementioned decoupling of test results for anode and cathode, you can immediately reveal which one is the limiting factor in your cell, delivering an actionable insight you can use to move forward.

In short, Arbin’s 3-Electrode Coincell Kits and Holders are a major time-saver for material development, combining performance and functionality you can count on with speed that leads to more optimal results.

In the following graphs, you can see results for CC-CV Cycling testing delivered by the Arbin MSTAT:

These graphs highlight results delivered by Arbin’s three-electrode kits regarding electrode performance:

 

 

With the Abrin MZTC Multi-Chamber, you can monitor temperature and test time of the equipment:

And, finally, integrated EIS solutions provide thorough insights through galvanostatic testing:

Ready to learn more about Arbin’s solutions for materials research and how they can improve your operations? Visit arbin.com/products/materials-research/ today, call 979-690-2751 or reach out to sales@arbin.com.

Batteries Provide Critical Support During COVID-19 Pandemic

The strain on the global economy and infrastructure as COVID-19, or coronavirus, continues to spread is enormous.

Healthcare entities need to find ways to handle increased demand and the need for effective telemedicine, the United Nations predicts a potential $2-trillion dip in the world’s economy as a result of the pandemic, and industries the world over need to find agile solutions to address this strain.

However, one aspect of these plans of attack remains consistent – batteries.

How Batteries Support Solutions During Times of Uncertainty

Batteries help the world’s major players and industries address the challenges brought about by COVID-19 and other pandemics in three key ways, including:

  • Making Remote Work Not Only Possible, But Fruitful
    As distancing recommendations and remote work requirements continue to rise in an effort to combat the virus’s spread, remote capabilities need to provide an avenue toward respecting these regulations without a significant dip in productivity.These work from home efforts, which are driving every industry from education to healthcare during this pandemic, are powered by devices and critical networks that make them possible.And, in turn, these assets are driven by batteries.

    Batteries ensure that these remote initiatives are prepped for success, providing reliability and dependability users can rely on, particularly at the network level as demands increase.

  • Helping the Healthcare Industry Address Rising Demand
    In addition to supply chain concerns and strain, healthcare providers are being forced to reckon with skyrocketing demand, potential telemedicine solutions and more.These telemedicine solutions go hand-in-hand with the aforementioned remote initiatives, but even more critical are hospital and physician efforts to account for the sheer number of patients expected to enter the system in the coming months.Critical equipment making this response possible is driven by batteries, again highlighting their role in supporting the overall efforts to respond to and curtail the ripple effect of COVID-19.
  • Connecting People Across the Globe to Critical Information
    Perhaps no commodity is more valuable during pandemics like COVID-19 than information.In today’s interconnected society, the spread of critical information is more possible than ever before – but not without the infrastructure to support this dissemination.Enter batteries. Batteries help power the global network that delivers key insights and directives to every corner of every industry, helping unite the world’s efforts to meet the challenges presented by COVID-19 head on.                                                                                                                                                                                                         Learn more about Arbin’s role in ensuring batteries carry the load they need to in times of uncertainty

Learn more about Arbin’s role in ensuring batteries carry the load they need to in times of uncertainty

20_Arbin_Battery_v2

 

Do we have technology for smart clothing?

*https://new.whatmobile.net/Opinion/article/smart-clothing-changing-face-wearable-technology 

Upon arriving in 2015 in Back to the Future Part II, Marty Mcfly changes into the outfit of the future. His Nike sneakers lace themselves up, automatically adjusting to fit his feet perfectly. His jacket shrinks to fit his arms and even has a self-drying function that is activated after he jumps into the pond during his hoverboard chase with Biff. Later in the movie we even see future-Marty’s kids wearing what we would now refer to as AR or VR goggles. This was the 2015 envisioned in the sci-fi classic. Now in 2020, how close are we to this reality?

The term “wearable tech” covers a wide range of devices that are worn by a user on their body to perform certain functions. They can be divided into three main categories: smart accessories, smart clothing, and healthcare devices. The main functions of these devices are usually for monitoring health-related statistics and acting as an extension of your smartphone, while devices like VR and AR goggles are also used for entertainment.

Today’s wearable technology is not yet as advanced, affordable, and commonplace as Back to the Future imagined they would be by now. However, some ideas have indeed become reality. Nike and various other shoe brands have come out with smart sneakers. VR and AR goggles are gradually becoming a key tool in many industries including gaming, entertainment, even healthcare and manufacturing. 

One type of wearable tech that still falls behind the film’s vision is smart clothing. Sadly, Marty Mcfly’s self-tailoring, self-drying jacket is not yet available. Nonetheless, there is promising development in the world of technological clothing.

What is smart clothing?

Smart clothing refers to clothing that has been integrated with technology that can serve its wearer in one way or another. For instance, there are smart socks that collect data of how the user’s foot falls while walking or running. There are also yoga pants that use haptic feedback to detect the accuracy of the wearer’s pose and send small vibrations to prompt the wearer to make adjustments.

In these examples, sensors are woven into the clothing item to collect data. Other types of smart clothing have integrated devices that can screen calls or track one’s location.

What are the next battery breakthroughs that would bring smart clothing into the mainstream?

One current limitation for smart clothing is the size and design of batteries. Even though sensors and control panels can be small, batteries still have bulk and shape to them. Often times a battery pack would have to be attached to the clothing item — an awkward and hard unit that does not seamlessly blend into the clothing article.

There could be a solution to this soon. Battery researches have developed and are testing flexible and stretchable battery packs. This breakthrough would be huge for smart clothing, allowing batteries to be integrated more inconspicuously into the fabric. This would give the user a smoother and more pleasant experience.

There are still limitations to this concept, especially in regards to how stretch can affect battery conductivity and capacity. It is nonetheless promising and could possibly bring us closer to the clothing depicted in Back to the Future.

What other concerns would there be with the batteries of wearable technology and smart clothing? Safety, for one, would be a major consideration. Since these devices are worn on the human body, any overheating or leaking would have direct contact with the skin, posing a major safety hazard. Batteries like solid-state batteries that replace the flammable liquid electrolyte with solid electrolyte could alleviate this concern.

Progress in reducing battery size and increasing capacity would also greatly benefit wearable technology. Although the energy and power demands of smart clothing are not that high, small batteries would help the clothing item feel less like a device and more like futuristic clothing. 

Conclusion:

Smart clothing still has some ways to go before it can be integrated into the mainstream. The luxury price point of these items still hinders it from being adopted more widely. Batteries are not the only part of this technology that needs to be perfected, however; given that self-lacing shoes do exist, there is no reason not to believe that a self-adjusting jacket could soon also be available.

Leveraging Battery Storage Brings Benefits for the Electric Grid

Modern innovations have made all sorts of things achievable in the realm of power, and one of the most exciting developments is the potential benefits to be gained by leveraging storage integrated into electrical grids.

Development in battery technology is making those integrations possible.

With integrated storage, electrical grids can store energy generated during high-production, low-consumption periods to release when production dips. This reserve power can help grids meet the elevated demands of modern society.

What is an Electrical Grid?

In short, an electrical grid is an interconnected network that brings electricity from producers to consumers. Typically, energy is generated and released relative to real-time demands.

However, all kinds of obstacles can hinder this model. Power line damage from inclement weather, fallen trees, malfunctioning equipment and more can lead to strain and outages, leaving consumers in the dark.

In the case of destructive storms, the number of customers left without power can be dizzying. During Hurricane Sandy in 2012, an estimated eight million customers were affected by power outages.

The impact extends beyond major catastrophic events, as well – 147 major blackouts occur each year in the U.S. due to adverse weather, and 15 million customers every year are affected by weather-related outages.

It’s not simply an inconvenience, either – outages can hinder critical emergency and rescue services.

 

Grid Storage

So, What Can Be Done?

By leveraging storage integrated into grids, themselves, the negative consequences of outages can be mitigated.

By storing electricity during high-production, low-demand times, that energy can be saved for periods when regular sources are unavailable or connections have been severed. This allows customers to remain powered during repairs and ensures that our society’s most important services, like medical care at hospitals, can continue unimpeded.

The Benefits of Grid Storage:

Integrated grid storage provides increased reliability and resistance, reducing the total number of outages in the first place.

However, grid storage also allows for rapid responses to grid upsets that keep the grid balanced and functioning in the face of roadblocks.

Grid storage also promotes the decentralization of energy, allowing communities at greater distances from power sources to store energy locally.

Grid storage can also play a backup role to renewable energy, providing power when renewable sources aren’t available and releasing energy to account for gaps in production.

Finally, grid storage can assist in the integration of multiple sources of power. As society moves toward varied and sustainable power sources, grid storage can consolidate power from sources like solar, wind and water into one location to be distributed throughout the grid.

Ready to learn more about how Arbin is helping to lead the charge toward grid storage and more?

 

3 Things You Need to Know About Solid-State Batteries

 

With the current push to integrate more environmentally-friendly practices into how we approach energy consumption, the need for sustainable energy solutions to evolve and keep up with the changing trends and developments in technology are more important now than they have ever been. One possible answer to this need is the development of solid-state batteries. Solid-state batteries diverge from lithium ion batteries in that they have solid electrolytes, instead of liquid electrolytes, which enables the battery to have higher electrochemical stability. This shift from liquid to solid electrolytes is significant as it eliminates some of the biggest issues found in the more commonly used lithium batteries such as: high flammability, risks of thermal runaway, and toxic leaks. Aside from being a safer and more stable form of storing electrical potential energy, the replacement of liquid electrolytes to solid electrolytes also means that energy can be stored in more compact casings.

These stated advantages have unsurprisingly caught the attention of not only electric vehicle (EVs) manufacturers, but also stakeholders involved in heavy road transportation and maritime travel. Solid-state battery’s downsized frame yet equal energy storage capabilities means that it effectively cuts cost while being able to increase performance and stability. Although there is still work to be done before it can be considered commercially viable, the potential it holds has led many to believe that it should and will become the standard of electrical energy storage systems within the coming decade. 

  1. Safe and reliable

Currently, lithium-ion batteries are still favored and more commonly used because of its relatively higher energy density and longer life compared to batteries made of other materials. However, as previously mentioned, the use of liquid electrolytes exposes the battery to a list of potential dangers which make it unpredictable to work with. There has always been a risk for any product that uses lithium-ion batteries whether it be toys, computers, or even EVs, as the battery’s susceptibility to high temperatures means that the it could easily overheat or spontaneously combust if the battery pack is damaged or faulty. This threat has been a major factor in prompting many researchers and battery developers to double down on their view of solid-state batteries, which are non-flammable and resistant to self-ignition, as a safer and better battery alternative for all types of technologies.

  1. Energy Efficient 

Aside from its apparent advantages in safety, researchers believe that solid-state batteries also hold the potential to store up to 2 to 3 times the amount of energy that could be stored in a liquid-electrolyte lithium ion battery of the same size. The drastic step up in storage capacity could prove to be revolutionary for EV manufacturers in addressing common reservations about EVs such as range anxiety, as using solid-state batteries will allow EVs to travel even longer distances without any changes to battery size. The ability of solid-state batteries to function under higher temperatures means that it wouldn’t require the same cooling systems needed for lithium ion batteries to keep it from overheating, hence, apart from it being a more compact battery system it is also a lighter and more efficient alternative as well.

  1. Design Flexibility 

Another added advantage that solid-state batteries bring to the table is their malleability. Solid-polymer cells can be made to be as slim as 0.64mm, about one-tenth the thickness of the thinnest liquid ion cells, making them a lot more flexible and easier to work with. This also means that battery casings for solid-state batteries are not limited to rectangular shapes but rather, can be molded to fit different space constraints depending on the products it is being fitted for. This level of customizability enables manufacturers to explore bolder and more creative design solutions as well, since battery spacing will not be as much of an issue as it is with liquid ion batteries. 

Challenges

Indeed there are many reasons why the shift from liquid to solid-state batteries would be a favorable change, however, as mentioned previously, there are still hurdles that solid-state battery researchers have to get over in order for it to be fully implemented into practical everyday settings. One such hurdle stems from the fact that solid-state batteries feature physical limitations which are not present on lithium ion batteries. Solid-state batteries are inherently less conductive than their lithium ion counterparts because the solid medium means that it diffuses ions at a slower rate. Apart from that, the performance of solid-state batteries is thermally dependent - Solid-state batteries only operate optimally only under higher temperature conditions, while their conductivity and performance is reduced drastically under lower temperatures. This means that currently, solid-state batteries are constrained by temperatures which prevents them from being as versatile as they need to be.

Another limitation to solid-state batteries is that being relatively young technology, solid-state batteries are still quite pricey compared to the other available alternatives. It is estimated that the price of solid-state batteries might range from around $800/kWh to $400/kWh by 2026 compared to liquid electrolyte batteries which currently cost around $156/kWh. This means that solid-state technology is yet to be a financially viable alternative as well.

Conclusion

Solid-state battery technology is still well within its development stages and still needs to be further improved and refined. However, despite the early stage it is currently in, the potential that solid-state batteries currently are exhibiting is already very promising. Once solid-state technology has matured, it will undoubtedly be a huge advancement in not just battery technology, but will propel the move towards sustainable energy sources as a whole through providing more efficient and safer energy storage solutions.

 

Power Tools: What’s the difference between power and energy?

When it comes to batteries, often times energy and power density are thought to be one and the same - a battery with high energy density would be a powerful battery as well. In fact, energy density and power density are very different things. Energy density relates to the amount of energy that can be stored per battery unit whereas power density relates to the maximum amount of energy that can be discharged per battery unit. Although energy density is the more commonly used measurement to determine battery performance, power density is still an important metric to consider when talking about energy systems. Understanding the relationship between these two things is essential as it helps in determining what type of battery is necessary for different products. 

Energy Density vs Power Density

*https://www.tecategroup.com/products/ultracapacitors/ultracapacitor-FAQ.php

Essentially, the main difference between energy density and power density is that batteries with a higher energy density will be able to store larger amounts of energy, while batteries with a higher power density will be able to release higher amounts of energy a lot quicker. Depending on the type of tool being energized, varying degrees of energy density and power density will be required. Take a mobile phone, for instance, phones do not need enormous amounts of energy to stay functional, instead, they need energy to be discharged consistently over extended periods of time. This means they mainly need batteries with a high energy density. On the other hand, power tools such as jigsaws and circular saws, need batteries that can release a lot of energy in one go but at the same time require the battery to have a big gas tank, which means that batteries used to energize power tools need be high in both energy and power density. 

When testing batteries of power tools, they cannot be evaluated through the same means as phone batteries, as the nature of how these products are used are completely different. Phones are used at a relatively consistent rate and thus go through relatively consistent charge and discharge cycles: Your phone is left on and used throughout the day, it is then charged at night and the cycle is repeated again day after day. Power tools on the other hand, are often not used in regular patterns like phones are and instead are used in short bursts of high power output, making their discharge cycles a lot more sporadic and unpredictable. Thus, where phones can be tested through traditional battery cycling methods which track constant current and constant voltage charge and discharge profiles, a more dynamic system must be adopted when testing batteries for power tools which take into account the many variables that may come into play when testing these types of products. 

Dynamic Cycling

Other technologies also have more dynamic discharge cycles; batteries for electric vehicles is one such example. Test equipment, like Arbin’s, should be able to test irregular charge and discharge cycles. This allows power tools or EV batteries to be tested in real life scenarios. Arbin’s equipment is guaranteed to give accurate and true to life simulations no matter the type of product that is being tested. Using true bipolar circuitry, our test systems feature cross-zero linearity and zero switching time between charge and discharge which is crucial in being able to test batteries more dynamically and precisely. 

Looking at what dynamic cycles would mean for EVs, EV drive cycles have instantaneous transitions between accelerating up a hill, to regenerative braking when going down; braking at a stoplight that slightly generates battery charge to accelerating when it turns green, requiring a lot of power. 

Likewise, power tools must run at a constant rate, like a drill spinning, but then suddenly be able to continue when faced with resistance --  like when pressed into concrete or a dense wood to drill a hole. This discharge profile has large, but relatively brief periods of high power output and still needs to last several hours of this type of repeated operation.

With over 90 pre-defined meta variables and a dozen custom ones available to users, our testing systems can be fully defined and customized to provide as accurate simulations of battery usage as possible. Arbin’s “Simulation” software feature also provides an intuitive interface which allows you to directly upload your data profile into the program to simulate without any additional programming needed. 

Conclusion

The performance of a power tool is just as good as the battery it holds, therefore it is crucial that power tools are fitted with batteries that can provide the necessary performance according to the given function the tool is meant to fulfill. At Arbin, not only are we able to provide a battery testing system that is consistently accurate, our systems are the most responsive to simulating very dynamic battery life cycles, which is key to properly re-producing the unique real-world test profiles of power tools, electric vehicles, and other applications that need more that constant current.

 

Where are the electric planes and ships?

There is often much discussion around electric transportation replacing carbon-emitting vehicles but it is more often than not limited to road transportation such as motorcycles, passenger cars, buses, and trucks in mainstream conversations. Aircrafts and ships are usually not part of the conversation. However, when discussing strategies to reduce CO2 emissions from transportation, it is also important to factor in the aviation and shipping industries. The two sectors make up 2.4% and 2.5% of global CO2 emissions, respectively, and thus are not to be overlooked.

Due to the size and capacity of planes and ships, as well as how they are used, electrifying large vessels is not as easy as doing the same for cars or buses. The energy demand and thus battery capacity needed is much greater and battery technology has yet to reach a place where it can efficiently, both technologically and financially, replace conventional planes and ships. Despite the difficulties, various companies and organizations are currently developing and testing electric aircrafts and ships. There are both smaller fully electric vessels, and hybrid versions being tested for short-range travel, the first step into taking air and maritime travel closer to becoming fully electric.

The benefits of going electric

As with electric cars and buses, the benefits of going electric in air and maritime travel are numerous. The biggest reasons and often the most compelling factors are the environmental and health benefits. As previously mentioned, together they make up almost 5% of global carbon emissions. Reducing the impact of these industries on climate change is significant. Pollutants like nitrogen oxide from planes and sulphur from ships also lead to many adverse health risks and consequences. Reports have stated that pollutants from plane emissions have led to around 16,000 premature deaths every year. Other reports have found that shipping causes around 400,000 premature deaths due to lung cancer and cardiovascular diseases and around 14 million childhood asthma cases annually. Eliminating the need for fuel all together by electrifying planes and ships can greatly reduce the release of these harmful pollutants into the environment.

Planes and ships also contribute heavily to noise pollution. High levels of noise can also adversely affect human health leading to an increase in stress and cardiovascular diseases. It can also affect the delicate natural balance in wildlife by interfering with communication between animals. Some countries like the United Kingdom and Germany have introduced flight bans at night to reduce the effect of excess noise on communities around airports. As electric engines are much quieter than jet and diesel engines, going electric can alleviate these issues.

Looking beyond the environmental and health advantages of electric planes and ships, going electric can also be more cost efficient. Jet fuel is one of the biggest operating costs of airplanes. With the advent of renewable energy, the cost of electric energy will continue to decrease. Moreover, with fewer parts, electric engines are much easier to service than conventional engines. Together, these effectively reduce costs by at least 40% with lower maintenance and energy costs.

Why are electric planes and ships not yet mainstream?

One of the biggest reasons why we have yet to see electric ships and planes is the battery. Currently, batteries only store 1/40th of the energy content of the equal weight of jet fuel, taking it only 1/20th of the distance. Moreover, as fuel is consumed, the weight of the plane or ship decreases, burning less fuel at the same speed over time. However, the weight of batteries will not reduce as its energy is drained, thus requiring a consistent release of energy throughout the entire trip. 

The issue of charging is another huge question with larger vessels. While small planes and boats can land and quickly recharge after short trips, the option is not present during long-distance trips. Larger vessels with larger batteries would also take a long time to charge. In order to guarantee enough energy for a long-range trip, aircrafts and vessels would either have to carry more or larger batteries, or be able to generate energy onboard with renewable energy technology.

From the perspective of regulation, it’s difficult to standardize safety measures and requirements as air and maritime travelling involves cross-border cooperation. This is one reason why aviation and shipping industries are not often discussed in national climate plans. However, private players and companies are working to help these industries take the next step. 

Where are we now and what’s next?

As it was with cars and buses, the first step to electric planes and ships are hybrid models.  Companies like Ampair, an LA-based clean tech company, have created hybrid-electric aircrafts for short-range flights. The Ampaire 337 plane is a six-seater Cessna 337 Skymaster, retrofitted with an electric propulsion system, replacing one of the two combustion engines with a battery-powered electric motor. 

Private aircraft producer Pipstrel is one of the few companies that currently produce all-electric battery powered planes. Because of battery limitations, they are used mainly as training or light sport aircrafts. Until battery technology can catch up to the efficiency of jet fuel, it is likely that hybrid and all-electric planes will be limited to small, regional aircrafts. 

In maritime travel, Nowegian explorer cruise line, Hurtigruten, launched the first hybrid electric-powered expedition ship. The ship collects excess and unneeded energy from the engines and stores them in the batteries. When the engine needs extra energy, it would be drawn from the batteries. The ship is also able to run on battery power alone for limited periods. All in all, the batteries allow the engines to operate at optimum levels, reduces energy waste, and lowers carbon emissions by 20%.

Japanese corporations are also hoping to launch the first all-electric propulsion cargo ship by 2021. If they are successful in developing an efficient cargo ship, it would be ground breaking in reducing the amount of emissions from the shipping industry.

Demands on the battery are greater than ever before. As the sense of urgency increases, the hope of greener technology leans on battery development. Having safe and efficient battery testing equipment greatly enhances the research and development processes. Moreover, with larger vessels like planes and ships, so much more is at stake if a battery malfunctions or causes thermal runaway. Isolating the factors that cause these issues is key to developing batteries that will safely and efficiently service these vessels and take the aviation and shipping industries into the future.