In 2017, US research institute SRI International unveiled its Taurus robot, a bomb disposal robot that allowed operators to control it using a virtual reality headset. This is just the latest in a long line of technology developments for bomb disposal units.
Due to its excellent energy density and high number of discharge cycles; Lithium-ion is one of the most popular battery chemistries found in the home (in smartphones, fitness trackers) and the workplace (robotics, Medtech). Devices that used SLA batteries are now using LiFePO4 Lead Acid Replacement that are lighter with enhanced cycle life. It’s therefore no surprise that cell manufacturers and research institutes are undertaking research and development to advance this technology.
Tripp Lite(1) and Ametek Powervar(2) inverters bring AC power to many existing medical carts, which is why Ultralife Corporation has qualified its new smart U1 battery for use with them(3).
With greater investment from healthcare organisations and surgical robot technology about to become generic, the conditions are perfect for a boom in the surgical robotics market. But how can design engineers and technical medical staff ensure these new systems operate reliably and safely? As a surgical robot battery manufacturer Accutronics, has a solution.
For military devices used by the Ministry of Defence, it is geo-politically safer to have components manufactured in the UK, right down to the power source. As a UK battery designer and manufacturer, Accutronics are ideally placed to supply batteries for devices used by the armed forces, such as covert airfield-landing lights, oxygen concentrators, bomb disposal robotics and drones.
Current US laws impose ‘no limit on how many hours US workers can work’ and those who undertake more than 40 hours a week qualify for overtime pay at 1.5 times their normal wage; so it is unsurprising to find that an estimated 80 percent of Americans continue to work after their mandated working day has ended. However, not having a work-life balance can have a long-term effect on staff productivity.
Rechargeable battery chemistries have advanced significantly in recent years. Lithium-ion has emerged as the go-to battery chemistry for a wide range of devices, from home applications such as smartphones and cordless power tools, to industrial Medtech and military equipment.
