Product category:
Batteries and Chargers
News Release from: Lawtronics
Edited by the Electronicstalk Editorial
Team on 23 October 2002
Smart award to fund charger development
Lawtronics has won a Smart award to develop a novel method for fast charging nickel metal hydride (NiHM) battery packs.
Lawtronics has won a Smart award to develop a novel method for fast charging nickel metal hydride (NiHM) battery packs The new technique will benefit the environment by increasing energy efficiency and encouraging the phasing out of nickel cadmium (NiCd) cells, whose cadmium is a pollution risk
This article was originally published on Electronicstalk on 29 Nov 2001 at 8.00am (UK)
Related stories
Custom charger powers rugged handheld computer
A custom-designed Li-ion charger/adapter unit has been developed by Lawtronics.
The UK-government-sponsored grant is to help fund a feasibility study into an ultrasensitive fast-charging technique.
It uses a constant-current charging process which is controlled by the rate of temperature rise inside the battery pack.
The development of the circuitry and algorithms to monitor this process reliably in multicell NiMH battery packs is a central feature of the project.
"Winning this Smart award will enable us to accelerate our development significantly", promised Managing Director Stephen Pringle.
"It will help Lawtronics to stay at the forefront of NiMH battery charger technology".
Environmental and safety benefits will result from the new charger technology, as it will mean less energy is wasted during recharge while reducing the risk of catastrophic temperature rise or even explosion.
In addition, less damage will be caused to the battery cells, leading to extended lifetimes and reduced disposal rates.
The use of NiMH battery packs in industry is increasing strongly, owing to their higher power density and lack of a memory effect.
• Lawtronics: contact details and other news
• Email this article to a colleague
• Register for the free Electronicstalk email newsletter
• Electronicstalk Home Page
Search the Pro-Talk network of sites
