Closed circuit television (CCTV) has been a feature of our world for almost a century now. First conceived in 1927 by gifted Russian inventor Léon Theremin, it is estimated there are over six million cameras in the UK alone — one for every eleven citizens. The need for video surveillance for safety and security is clear, but what are you supposed to do when mains power is unavailable?
The first smart meter was developed and produced in the late 70s and, by the mid-80s, manufacturers of these devices found Lithium Thionyl Chloride (Li/SOCl2) cells to be an extremely well-suited source of power due to their long service life that reduces the need for replacement. Ultralife has recently introduced a new line of Li/SOCl2 cells, called ER Generation X, that are a great option for those who consider performance, price and lead time.
Scientists require accuracy in their measurements, which is why – in early 2019 – the definition of a kilogram was modernised.
As measurements become more precise; demands for accuracy are also placed on the equipment that calculates, interrogates, monitors or communicates them; which is where selecting the optimum battery can prove invaluable.
When the word “robot” is mentioned, most people conjure up images of bulky, flashing, tinfoil-covered machines from old sci-fi, like Lost in Space or Dr Who. Back then, little more than a man in a suit, metallic spray-paint and a ring-modulated audio track was enough to create a robotic superstar, but today’s world is filled with genuine robotic celebrities.
Most Inspired Energy batteries contain ‘18650’ size cells, however demand for increased battery run time means that ‘21700’ cells are gaining in popularity. As a leading manufacturer of standard smart battery packs, Inspired Energy have incorporated 21700 cells into a new range of batteries for the new decade; which includes the company’s first 18V battery.
In 2019, Southwest Electronic Energy (SWE) was acquired by Ultralife Corporation. We sat down with SWE’s VP of Sales Leon Adams to learn more about the company and its products and to see how the acquisition has benefited the company so far.
According to Amazon, a record number of smart home devices were sold during the 2018 holiday season, a trend that looks set to continue this year. However, sales are dominated by household names, such as Amazon and Google, making it difficult for competitors to secure a coveted place under the Christmas tree. Here, we look at a home automation and smart home security device from other manufacturers that have come to market this year and discuss the ways that batteries are developing to meet the emerging power needs.
Ultralife has taken steps towards enhancing its battery portfolio for the renewable energy sector – with the addition of the URB0023 stackable battery and by approving SuperWind Turbines for use with it and other Lithium Iron Phosphate (LiFePO4) batteries.
For 130 years, engineers have sought to assist those who struggle with walking through the use of wearable mobile machines called exoskeletons. Many and varied power sources have been trialled for these machines over time, from compressed gas bags to steam power. So, what led to batteries being selected as the modern-day power source of choice and will they still be relied upon in the future?
