The battle to create flexible smartphones has only just begun. Just a few days ago Samsung unveiled the Samsung Galaxy Round, the first flexible smartphone, and on the other hand LG He also has his proposal that will be launched shortly, the LG G Flex. Both companies based in South Korea, it seems they are determined to go all out when it comes to flexibility is concerned and both want to lead this new market that seems to be very promising.
But not only has there been talk these days of mobile devices and flexible screens, but we have also been able to talk about batteries flexible, which Samsung is currently working on. Nowadays, we can encounter several incidents that can occur with the batteries of our mobile devices, such as catching fire, swelling, or even battery explosions, although it is obviously not something that happens every day. However, for that reason, and to prevent it from continuing to happen, Samsung is immersed in the manufacturing of new flexible batteries that are fire and explosion resistant.
Such is so Samsung SDI, the division of the South Korean company that manufactures the batteries, showed this new technology at the South Korea ENERGY Show, a trade fair that has taken place in South Korea these days. This new battery is also known as flexible solid state battery, since it has a electrolyte solid instead of the liquid electrolyte that we normally find in most lithium batteries that currently carry smartphones on the market.
Differences between current batteries and flexible batteries
From Android Authority, they comment that batteries that exist today are very susceptible to accidents such as those mentioned above, to explode, swell or even catch fire due to the lithium ions moving through the electrolyte liquid charging the battery can lead to formation of metal deposits on the electrodes. What happens when this happens? In the event that this occurs, it is most likely that there is a short circuit.
But they also comment that those liquid electrolytes can leak and burn, something that you want to prevent from happening in the not too distant future, for which Samsung and is working. However, the electrolytes solid that the new flexible Samsung batteries will have unlike liquid ones do not leak and are not prone to forming metal deposits that may subsequently cause short circuits.
These types of flexible solid state batteries have a great stability and they hold up very well high temperatures, which would avoid the explosions that current batteries can suffer. On the other hand, it should be mentioned that these batteries are designed to be indestructible, providing a useful life much larger than our smartphone.
However, Samsung still has some issues it needs to work on to make these batteries viable, the main one being their efficiency, and they have to find a way to make lithium ions move more easily by the solid electrolyte, since its current capacity is very low compared to current batteries. Samsung SDI is targeting an availability window when the energy density equal to the conventional one, so we still have to wait a bit.
High-risk applications: energy that doesn't fail
Beyond mobile phones, these batteries are of interest to sectors of emergency and tactical: bomb disposal robots, adaptative evacuation and safety lighting, rugged radios, and rescue tools. In these scenarios, the battery must withstand impacts, fire and adverse conditions, in addition to delivering a stable feeding under stress. Specifically, the solid electrolyte and reinforced encapsulations increase the tolerance to shocks, vibrations and thermal shocks.
For civil and professional use, an additional advantage is that the flexible format allows take advantage of gaps and curvatures in helmets, vests or drones, reducing weight and improving the ergonomics without compromising security.
Safe storage and loading: certified cabinets
Storage is critical when charging multiple batteries at once. In modern installations, security cabinets with high fire resistance, capable of withstanding proven exposure up to 90 minutes both from the outside to the inside (norm EN 14470-1) as from the inside to the outside (EN 1363-1). This margin facilitates the evacuation and the intervention of firefighters, preventing further damage.
There are versions for passive storage and models of active load that integrate power strips and thermal control. A charging cabinet can accommodate up to 6 trays y 60 sockets distributed in 6 power strips, with a combined power of up to 11,04 kW for simultaneous charging.
La integrated technical ventilation It is essential, since heat is generated during charging and, under abnormal conditions, atmospheres and vapors explosivesForced ventilation and filtration reduce these risks.
Advanced systems incorporate electronic monitoringdetectors smoke and temperature, and a fire suppressant. Its warning logic typically operates in three phases: 1) a red LED warning and slow acoustic signal in the event of anomalies; 2) a level 1 alarm when smoke is detected; 3) a level 2 alarm with rapid flashing and activation of the suppressor if there is smoke and fire. In addition, the cabinet can send an alert to a central, to the building manager or to a .
Other details designed for the work environment: transport base integrated to move the cabinet, quick disconnect in emergencies and trays perforated which promote ventilation during charging.
Fireproof bags and safe shopping
For home or hobby use, the fireproof bags for lithium batteries (LiPo type) offer an extra layer of containment during load and the ServicesThey are heat-resistant and help contain sparks or flames in isolated incidents. They do not replace a certified cabinet, but they do provide protection. to maximise security and your enjoyment. additional in non-industrial environments.
There are risks in the market forgeries. As a best practice, buy from distributors authorized, requests a Certificate of Analysis (COA) If in doubt, check that the product includes laser marking with a registered trademark and production number and be wary of overly cheap offers. Some manufacturers manage distribution regionally and do not sell publicly online to avoid Unknown origins or expired units.
Fight against LG
One of the main reasons why we would be working hard on this new technology is to compete against LG in the race to present the best as soon as possible flexible terminal.
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As you can see, Samsung's alternative is quite similar which we have already seen from LG. The development of this type of battery will help us in several aspects such as to maximise security and your enjoyment. and the reduction of risks and accidents, but it will also allow manufacturers to design devices such as smartphones, tablets, glasses or smart watches in a simpler way, becoming the perfect solution for curved phones, since it fully exploits the Available space at the rear of the terminal.
Bombproof
The battery is an essential element in mobile phones. Therefore, The new type of battery contains a solid electrolyte, instead of the liquid electrolyte found inside most lithium-ion batteries currently on the market. By removing the liquid, the propagation of leaks and the formation of dendrites that cause short circuits.
A little waiting
The bad news is that all this takes a process and development, and Samsung is clear about it: there are still hours of work to go before the ionic conductivity and energy density of solid state cells equal to commercial ones. In addition, a beneficial side effect The advantage of the solid electrolyte is that the battery can be bent and curved, ideal for curved phones, glasses or smart watches.
Not satisfied with the flexible batteries LG has announced? Well, Samsung gives you even more, because theirs are not only flexible, but they are also fire and explosion proof, a resistance that may seem excessive for a battery, but is increasingly necessary in compact devices and powerful gifts.
Source: Movilzone
Source | Android Authority
However, the combination of solid state, reinforced encapsulations and protocols storage y load suitable points to a new generation of portable power: safer, more flexible and prepared for environments that demand absolute reliability.
