High-capacity Lithium-ion smart batteries for next-generation portable power needs

The industry demand for longer running, smaller and lighter handheld equipment has prompted USA based battery manufacturer Inspired Energy to launch the HD34 range of high-capacity Lithium-ion (Li-ion) smart batteries. Exclusively available from Accutronics, the batteries use the latest innovations in cell technology to offer outstanding volumetric and gravimetric energy density resulting in longer run-times. They use the latest Lithium-ion cells with an increased capacity of 3.4Ah to provide customers with a longer runtime, says the company. “The batteries use 18,650 cells, which are the workhorses of the rechargeable battery world," explained Neil Oliver, technical marketing manager, Accutronics, the sole distributor for Inspired Energy. “Over the last 25 years Lithium-ion technology has improved and the capacity has steadily increased threefold, resulting in the latest high capacity 3.4Ah version." Batteries using the 3.4Ah cells are available in two, three, four, six and eight cell configurations covering 7.2V, 10.8V and 14.4V outputs, so original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) developing new products can be confident in finding a platform that meets their mechanical and electrical requirements. A wide variety of applications make use of the Inspired Energy batteries, including portable laboratory equipment and medical patient monitoring devices, hand-held data terminals, unmanned underwater vehicles, professional and broadcast cameras and satellite communication. Lithium-ion batteries must be transported as dangerous goods, requiring batteries to be subjected to testing. The companies offering such products for transport are subject to strict packaging, labelling and paperwork requirements. Shipping of Inspired Energy Lithium-ion smart batteries is made easier as they have already been tested for transport and all have an energy density under 100Wh reducing the level of paperwork and packaging. The new 3.4Ah cells allow batteries and devices to be made smaller and lighter. Some of the older battery models in the range use twelve 2.2Ah cells to provide 95Wh. When using 3.4Ah cells it is possible to realise this energy with just eight cells. This means the batteries can be made around 30% smaller and lighter, a real benefit to OEMs looking to reduce the size and weight of their devices, while still providing maximum runtime to users. Inspired Energy standard smart batteries can be customised to meet the need of the customer, including changing the artwork to carry own-brand labels and modifying the smart battery data.