The autonomy of equipment and digital technology in recent years has become one of the decisive factors in choosing in favor of a particular product model. Batteries in the form of battery packs play a critical role on this site. Their small size, coupled with high working potential, significantly expand the capabilities of the target device. It remains only to choose the appropriate type of battery. And if recently LiOn elements were popular, today developers are increasingly looking at LiPo blocks. Batteries of this type have a wide range of advantages, although they are not free from the disadvantages.
Item Overview
LiPo devices belong to the group of modern lithium batteries, which led to their some similarity with ionic counterparts. The fundamental difference lies in the type of electrolyte used. If a gel electrochemical composition is used in LiIon cells, a polymer with a lithium-containing mixture is used in LiPo. The concept of a polymer power source is based on the property of this electrolyte to provide a semiconductor effect in conjunction with lithium. As a result, electrochemical qualities significantly increase the operational efficiency of a LiPo battery. A description of the general principle of operation of polymer cells will be incomplete without classification by the types of electrolytic solutions that are used in such batteries. In addition to gel-polymer devices, dry electrolytes and non-aqueous saline solutions are also isolated. In the first case, the basis is polyethylene oxide with lithium salts, and in the second, non-aqueous salt mixtures sorbed in a matrix of polymers with small pores.
Characteristics
One of the main performance indicators of the battery is energy intensity. So, in comparison with NiCd batteries, this indicator in LiPo is exceeded by 4-5 times. Moreover, the number of cycles reaches 600, and the reduction in capacity is 20%. The next characteristic is the magnitude of the discharge current, which can vary depending on the type of element. It is expressed in amperes, and the letter “C” indicates the grade of the discharge LiPo. Batteries, whose characteristics are indicated by 3C 1 Ah for this value, have a current value of 3 A. This is the highest value typical of typical cells. However, there are models 8-10C, which belong to the category of quick-discharge.
As for the battery operation under different temperature conditions, LiPo batteries have the largest range. According to manufacturers, it ranges from −20 to 40 ° C. However, abusing the use of devices with such batteries in extreme temperatures is still not recommended.
Charge features
You can charge elements from direct current sources until the battery enters the stabilized voltage mode. In other words, when the replenishment reaches 80%, you can stop the process, but not earlier. A full charge gains its potential in 2 hours. During this time, in particular, standard 12V LiPo batteries with a capacity of 1500 mAh are charged. When choosing a charger, it should be borne in mind that this task can be accomplished with either a conventional “computer” device or a special apparatus for lithium batteries. Obviously, the second option is preferable, if only because of compatibility. Also, depending on the model of the charger, the user may be able to indicate the magnitude of the charge, data on voltage and current strength. A set of these indicators allows complete control over the charging process.
Positive reviews
Polymer electrolytes provide not many advantages over ionic batteries, but they are obvious when compared with previous generations of batteries. In practice, users of devices with such batteries notice stable voltage maintenance, modest dimensions and large capacity. Suffice it to say that compact single-cell batteries are able to provide mobile devices for several days with intensive use. In addition, LiPo batteries are characterized by a reduced memory effect. This means that the owner will incur less operating costs during the execution of charging cycles. An important positive feature for ordinary consumers is environmental safety. So far, manufacturers are not able to make batteries that are completely devoid of toxic substances, but polymer models are the least dangerous in this regard.
Negative reviews
The complete displacement of lithium-ion batteries is hindered by the disadvantages of the polymer electrolyte, which, among other things, are reflected in the usual practice of use. First of all, this is the problem of aging. Such batteries do not "live" for a long time, which is especially noticeable on the example of the same mobile devices. After 3-4 years, owners note a decrease in capacity. That is, the element remains operational, but the duration of work on a single charge is gradually reduced. Sensitive to many users and the price factor. The fact is that LiPo-batteries, due to the need to integrate additional protective circuits, significantly add to the cost. Even compared to lithium-ion models, they cost 10-15% more.
Conclusion
The outlook for LiPo batteries is mixed. The advantages that polymer electrolyte cells can boast today are quite enough for the modern user of mobile devices. However, their potential is significantly limited and it is possible that hybrid batteries will replace ionic competitors . Nevertheless, 6S LiPo batteries with high discharge current are capable of delivering unprecedented high semiconductivity. Of course, this applies to the segment of compact devices designed for stand-alone portable equipment. Also, hopes with the future development of this direction are reinforced by the resistance of the element to external influences - including temperature. In terms of mechanical strength, they can compete with a magnesium battery, but if we take into account the preservation of working electrochemical properties, then the LiPo separation will be much higher.