Increasing environmental issues, security of energy supply, drive research and development towards renewable energy sources (RES) worldwide. A key issue of RES, such as wind and solar resources, is intermittency. RES are not dispatchable, they exhibit large fluctuations, and are uncertain. The intermittency of RES can be absorbed by the hybrid combination of different RES [...]

Yes! All Li-ion cells and packs shipped must be tested to meet the Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods on lithium-ion batteries for air shipment, rules set by the United Nations (UN). The electrical test stresses the battery by applying high heat, followed by a forced charge, abnormal discharge and an electrical short. During [...]

Three major criteria should to be considered to choose a portable power source. The weight of the system, the cost of the energy produced and type of the fuel are the key drivers.

Today, the major battery systems are the rechargeable lead acid and the primary manganese dioxide-zinc: both have a long history and are at an advanced state of technical maturity. The Lithium-Ion Battery (LIB), conceived and developed in Japan by Asahi Kasei Co. and first commercialized by Sony Co. in 1991, is poised to challenge these [...]

In June 1936, workers constructing a new railway near the city of Baghdad uncovered an ancient tomb. Relics in the tomb allowed archeologists to identify it as belonging to the Parthian Empire. The Parthians, although illiterate and nomadic, were the dominating force in the Fertile Crescent area between 190 BC to 224 AD. It is [...]