#Battery cell assembly

[semcoinfratechworld]

Streamlining Lithium-Ion Battery Pack Line Processes: Challenges and Solutions

The packaging and assembly of lithium-ion battery packs are crucial in the field of energy storage and have a significant impact on applications like electric vehicles and electronics.

The pack line process consists of three main phases: production, assembly, and packaging.

The pack is a complex system comprising battery packs, shunts, soft connections, protective boards, outer packaging, output components (such as connectors), insulating materials like barley paper, plastic brackets, and other auxiliary materials. These components come together to form a complete pack unit. This blog discusses the challenges faced in the Lithium-Ion Battery Pack Line Processes and offers potential solutions.

The Core Functions of a Pack Line

A typical production line for battery packs serves two main purposes: transmission and testing. In the industry, it is common to use semi-automatic assembly lines for pack production. These lines handle tasks such as launching, offline operations, testing, in-plant transmission, and packaging. The processes involved in a lithium battery pack production line are relatively simple, including feeding, attaching brackets, welding, and conducting thorough testing, among other steps.

Challenges in Meeting Pack Line Requirements

Highly Customized Demands: The power battery system pack requires targeted research and development tailored to the specific requirements of vehicle manufacturers. Each automaker has unique specifications and needs, leading to a high degree of customization in the assembly process. These drive increased demand for automated production lines that can efficiently adapt to these variations.

Stringent Safety and Stability Prerequisites: The core challenge in creating a power battery system pack lies in accommodating the customized market demands of different vehicle models. This customization process addresses various aspects, including BMS design, thermal management, space constraints, structural strength, system interfaces, IP ratings, and safety measures. These custom requirements are vital for ensuring the safety and stability of the battery pack.

Precise Control of Production Rate: Modern battery pack production requires a different approach to maintain a high and efficient production rate while meeting market supply and demand. This involves refining the process to manage the “whole line beat,” focusing on average workstation working time rather than a sequential production line.

Enhanced Compatibility: The evolving lithium battery industry adds complexity to the production process. With non-standardized modules, incoming cells, shells, PCB boards, and connecting components, compatibility across the production line becomes crucial. Adapting to these changes and ensuring efficiency and compatibility is vital.

Embracing Automation and Innovation: In response to the growing lithium power industry, leaders are expanding production capacity, optimizing pack line processes, and incorporating smart technologies. This includes integrating intelligent equipment, robotic arms, collaborative robots, mobile robots, and other advanced technologies to improve efficiency.

The lithium battery manufacturing process requires highly reliable, stable, and precise equipment for process control. It also demands intelligent data processing capabilities for effective production data management. This drives the need for automation and intelligent upgrades to meet the evolving demands of the industry.

As the energy storage landscape evolves, automating and enhancing pack line processes is crucial to ensure reliable, stable, and precise equipment. This streamlines production for the intelligent and data-driven future of lithium-ion battery manufacturing.

[oldguardleatherdog]

The Night Before the Tribute In Light

September 10, 2003

I.

One month ago today, this long-forgotten photo suddenly popped up in the photo app on my laptop. I took this photo with my Sanyo clamshell phone on September 10, 2003, 21 years ago tonight, from Hudson River Park in Manhattan.

Don't ask me how it survived all these years or where it's been stored all this time or how in the world it could have found its way to me from the long-dead storage servers of a long-defunct cell phone carrier. We're in the penumbra of The Anniversary, and time is out of joint.

I had been back in New York for about a month (after getting violently run out of the place I was staying by a fellow who is now one of my closest friends), homeless and living in that roach-infested HIV crack-house shelter at 96th and Broadway that I describe in "The One Decent Thing I Ever Did" (it’s archived on this blog), and you can imagine my state of head and spirit at this moment, the night before the 2nd anniversary of the terror attacks on the World Trade Center that drove me from my home in Lower Manhattan, four blocks east of the site.

I was sitting on a bench in Hudson River Park on the West Side of Manhattan, somewhere near Houston Street, maybe ten or fifteen blocks north of World Trade. I hadn't noticed these beams of light as I walked, and I think they might have just been activated while I was sitting there. As I recall, it was a full moon in Virgo, and I was positioned just right to snap this shot. I had *no* idea what this was all about, as I recall, but I thought the image was so striking and affecting that I wanted to capture it.

As it turns out, this was the tech run-through for the first September 11th installation of the “Tribute In Light”. Here’s Google’s AI summary of this remarkable memorial:

So there I was, just two years after the blast, stunned by this sudden, mysterious apparition rising from just south of what was still a giant, messy hole in the ground. I was still not fully myself at that time and would not regain my full memory or sense of who I was until the following January (therein lies a tale!), and as I recall I was just numbly stunned, not knowing what to make of it.

As I write, I’m getting the physical sense memory of that moment: the dog in me (my medulla oblongata speaking) feels his hackles rise, it’s not what I expect to see filling the hole in the sky, is it another attack? Do I bark at it, sound an alarm, run towards it, away from it, why is there light there, is this some unholy ruse, another trick being played on me from that big smoky hole where nothing but poison has spilled out for the longest time?

My phone rang. It was a fellow that I had met and hung out with in San Francisco while I was stranded there, and I was stunned to hear from him, especially at that moment. “Hi Dave… well, right now I’m on the riverfront looking at the damnedest thing… [I just wanted to make sure you were ok] hey, thanks for checking in… yeah, take care bud.” I closed the phone and started walking south along the riverfront, toward the light beams.

When I got there, I saw the massive banks of klieg lights assembled in their arrays, a strange and unfamiliar (unwelcome) echo of the shapes and the placement and the footprints of the place I loved so well.

The faces of the artists who surrounded the lights were intense, focused, sober. I still didn’t quite know what was going on, but there was profound reverence in the air, on those faces, at that place, as the beams of pure white light soared upwards, past the point of naked-eye discernment, unending, likely petering out tens of thousands of feet off that spoiled piece of ground, perhaps piercing the ionosphere, did they get clearance from the Federal Aviation Administration for this? Are pilots being disoriented by these columns at 45,000 feet? Do they touch the feet of God?

II.

And I kept walking south, my back to the light,

Down to the oldest part of the civilized island,

Past the Battery, the bronze bull, the buttonwood tree,

The Port of New York dead ahead,

The Staten Island Ferry terminal, ramshackle, ancient,

Entry restricted by terror tape and armed sentinels

No two uniforms alike, a panoply of enforcement,

Heavy weapons at the ready, so jarring in my neighborhood,

And the working dogs with the keen snouts, the trained muzzles,

Jumping up to paw at the brown bag in the soldier’s hand

Is that peanut butter? Apple? Hunk of cheese?

Let’s play! You’ve been so serious, so worried,

You smell sad and scared, are you lost? Let’s play!

Even Cerberus needs break time, belly rubs, treats!

For the first time in weeks, I smile to myself

As I round past the ferry, those strange lights at my back.

Hope I can sneak past the turnstile downstairs,

I won’t have to hike back up three hundred blocks

To that awful low place. Did you know roaches bite?

They shit on you too. Try to sleep, fully dressed,

Watch cap pulled low on my head, long sleeved shirt

Buttoned up to the collar, heavy pants tucked in boots,

Gloves on my hands, one more night without food

Half-bag of speed takes my mind off the pain

Sleep comes in fits if at all. – On the train

Dreading the stop: ninety-sixth street and Broadway.

Tomorrow, this city will jack itself off

In performative weeping and gnashing and cursing

Oh, how we loved them! I snort in derision,

You didn’t lose nothin', you pieces of shit!

Let the dead bury the dead. Beams of light

Don’t feed this refugee reeking of ashes -

What, do I smell bad? So sorry to stink up

The place where you’ve laid out the feast for your friends

Who still have their jobs, their high homes in the towers

Behind the glass doors where your larders are stocked

With the food that you bought with your government money

That flooded your midtown Manhattan apartment

With all the new clothes, electronics, the sausages

Fresh from Enrico’s, Zabar’s, D’agostino’s,

Bought with the Victim’s Fund money you stole

When you filed your claim. “OMG, it was awful!

“I couldn’t get up to the fifty-fourth floor,

“I had to find shelter on Upper Park Avenue.

“Power was out. I was homeless that night!

“So glad that my friend who was shopping in Gramercy

“Gave me the number to call for my claim

“September 11th was horrid! I told them

“I couldn’t go home for two nights! Oh, thank God

“The claim got approved with a wink and a nod

“And no one’s the wiser – I’ve never been south

“Of the Plaza Hotel! That all happened on Wall Street,

“Who goes down there? Jesus Christ, are you kidding?

“That’s four miles away! Christopher, are you coming

“Or what? Reservations at Nobu won’t wait

“For you or for me, so quit primping!”

The pain

In my stomach, relentless. My gorge won’t stop heaving.

Am I gonna make it? Damn, *ouch!* What the fuck…

The tooth that I hoped would hold out just gave way,

Fuck me. Another huge hole in my grille.

When I made six figures and lived in a high-rise,

Fuck buddies laughing on Saturday night,

Nobody told me that one hundred minutes

And two hijacked jet planes would make such a difference.

No one will laugh with me now – my best friends

Are yelling and angry, how dare I show up

Sweaty and toothless, a walking reminder

Of September tenth. No, I’m not gonna feed you.

III.

Now, twenty years later, they’ve retooled their memory:

“Animal! Damn, dog! We’ve missed you, you know,

“Wow, you’re alive! You look fabulous! Listen,

“I never gave up on you. Give a call

“When you come to the City. I want you to meet

“My beautiful husband – he remembers you too!”

IV.

Twin beams of light where the Towers were anchored,

Okay, not exactly precisely those spots,

But who’s gonna criticize? Look and recall

How majestic they were. Yeah, the new One World Trade

Is cool, I suppose – no one mentions the absence

Of Two World Trade Center. Insurance, you know.

Not enough money or civic ambition,

And Bloomberg discouraged it. Why add a target?

“Don’t you think sixty or seventy stories

“Are more than enough? Hell, let’s just get it done.

“The sooner we finish construction, the better.”

V.

*There will never be lumens of adequate volume

Sufficient to seal that hole in the sky,

But the hole in my heart I will finish, I tell you.

Walk with me as I go forward. Tomorrow

I’m back in the studio. Tonight, we can play!

You smell like apples and – damn, is that chocolate?

(our light beams shine upward forever)

"Good boy!"

Animal J. Smith

San Francisco, California

September 10, 2024

[stevebattle]

S.A.M by "Bill" (1978). "S.A.M (Short for "Sentient, Autonomous Mechanism" or "Smart Ass Machine", depending on his (and my) mood on a given day, was one of my first real robot projects, started in 1978 when I was around 15. His "brain" was a single-board Z-80 computer (the big square object in the middle of his "back" in this picture), with many bits of TTL I/O, a couple of serial ports, a bunch of counter-timers, and several D/A & A/D channels. The base was taken from the book "How to Build a Computer Controlled Robot" by Todd Loofbourrow - I had built the robot in the book, and had used my KIM-1 to control it. Later, I decided that just a little platform was kind of boring, so I added the upper torso shown here. The torso (mounted on a "lazy-susan" turntable bearing) is rotated by a heavy-duty gear motor driving a chain and sprocket assembly from a bicycle. The base is powered by two of the (apparently no longer available, which is sad) all-metal rubber-tired "motorized wheel" assemblies that Herbach & Rademan used to sell, with a large rubber-tired caster in front. The head platform (mounted on a small "lazy-susan" bearing) was originally rotated by a surplus gearbox from a Mattel "Big Trak" with some rubber-tired wheels mounted on the output shafts. This arrangement was later replaced by a small gear-head motor driving a large gear mounted to the center of the turntable. The device in the head with the tubes sticking out the front is a directional light tracking device. Each tube has a CDS photocell at the bottom, and is painted flat black inside. A comparator circuit tells the computer which direction the brightest light is coming from. This device could also tilt up and down with a small gear-head motor, to track light sources vertically. Most of the circuitry was installed on small plug-boards from Radio Shack, mounted in a card rack below the CPU card. This rack could be tipped back 90 degrees to facilitate easier access for testing. In addition to motor driver circuits, there was a "Sweet Talker" speech synthesizer board so he could talk. Power came from a large "gel-cell" marine battery (for powering trolling motors on boats), which was slung near the ground in the center of the base. Two 6V lantern batteries (later replaced by a 12V motorcycle battery) provided separate power for the electronics. All motors were isolated from the electronics via relays and/or opto-isolators. After these pictures were taken, a set of metal panels was installed on the "facets" of the base, with lever switches behind them for collision sensing. A Polaroid sonar range-finder was also added later. If you check out the other photos of S.A.M., you will notice an "arm" sticking out the front. This was a prototype made from an old swing-arm desk lamp and some "fingers" from a robot hand design using brass tubing, bicycle chain, and 1/16" steel cable to allow natural bending of each finger. It was later replaced with a much heavier duty aluminum framework arm operated by two 12VDC linear actuators." – My Home Robot Projects, by Bill.

[reasonsforhope]

The U.S. Department of Treasury’s gift to electric-vehicle shoppers (and global automakers) for the new year was to make many more EVs and plug-in hybrids eligible for the federal tax subsidy of up to $7,500 — including vehicles built outside North America — as long as drivers lease them or buy used rather than buy new.

EV credits and [rules] took effect Jan. 1.

One category extends the former credit of up to $7,500 for consumers buying new EVs and PHEVs, but it puts new limits on vehicle price and buyer income and will soon add requirements for the sourcing of EV batteries and materials. Additionally, since August [2022], it has required that the vehicles be assembled in North America.

A second is a new credit of up to $4,000 for buyers of used EVs.

A third is a “commercial” credit for businesses acquiring EVs. It offers up to $7,500 for light-duty vehicles (under 14,000 pounds) and up to $40,000 for heavier vehicles. Significantly, the commercial credit does not have the origin, price or other restrictions of the credit for consumer buyers.

On top of all that, the Department of Treasury guidance released at the end of December allows the less restrictive commercial credit to also apply to vehicles leased by consumers; that means most plug-in and fuel-cell EVs currently on the market can qualify, including those built in Europe or Asia. The credit goes to the leasing company — the vehicle owner — but it can be passed to the consumer in the form of lower lease payments.

The new federal rules do not affect state and local subsidies available for EV buyers [which may be able to get you even more savings].

-via Cars.com, January 12, 2023

[hillbillyoracle]

What To Do In Tornados

I’ve lived in tornado country pretty much my whole life and to be honest they still freak me out. I also remember how anxiety inducing it was when I first moved out and had to deal with them on my own. So like a message in a bottle to my former self, I wanted to compile what I’ve learned over the years in a skimmable format in case there’s anyone else out there today who could use it. 

Difference between a watch and a warning?

Tornado watch means you have time; think of a wrist watch. Tornado warning means one is incoming, no more time. This is the one I use to remember it.

Or if you prefer the Weather Channels very memeable explanation - tornado watch means you have taco (tornado) ingredients - picture a taco bar. Tornado warning means you have a fully assembled taco (tornado). This is what my partner uses. 

So there are possible tornados in the forecast: 

Make a plan about where you’ll go if you get a warning. It should be the most interior room in your house, well away from any windows. Here we have a walkout basement and I go to the most interior part of it. When I was in an apartment, the most interior room happened to be my bathroom and hallway. If you live in a dorm or other communal setting, they should have a plan in place so make sure to find out what it is.

Take pictures of your rooms and car in the event you need to file an insurance claim. Having pictures of what you own, it’s condition is helpful for filing insurance claims if you need to. Especially if you’re a renter. This is easiest to do when there’s no storms in your area so you aren’t nervous or pressed for time.

Make a power outage plan. A lot of the threat that comes with tornados is not from the tornados themselves but the damaging straight line winds around the tornado. Whenever there’s high winds, there’s a chance to lose power. Consider how you’d eat, drink, go to the bathroom, and stay warm in the event of a power outage. Less necessary but still helpful - consider how you’ll entertain yourself, especially if cell towers go down or you need to conserve your phone battery. Consider what chores - like laundry or dishes - would be good to have out of the way before hand. 

Grab snacks and food that doesn’t need refrigeration. If you’re able to make a grocery store run, grab some food you can eat that is shelf stable and doesn’t require cooking. A good rule of thumb in my experience is three days worth. Most power outages I’ve been through have been fixed in that time and you can more safely evacuate then if you need to go somewhere with power. If you’re like me and have a lot of food allergies (gluten, dairy, soy) - consider baking items ahead of time that can keep well at room temperature like cookies, scones, and breads. 

So you’ve been issued a Tornado Watch:

Check the forecast; you might have lots of time before the storms will be in your area or you might have very little.

Make a plan if you haven’t already. Or check your building’s plan if you live in a dorm or communal setting. 

Make sure everyone involved knows the plan. Don’t assume people you’re with know. I have made that mistake before. 

Charge your phone and electronics. If you don’t currently have a thunderstorm in your area, go ahead and charge your phone, power bank, flashlights, and anything else you’ll want to take with you your safe spot.

Gather supplies to take with you to your safe spot

Minimum: 

Shoes

Phone

Form of ID*

Leash/Harness/Cage for pets 

Explanation of minimum: 

Shoes are important because if you need to evacuate, there’s likely broken glass and other things on the floor that can injure you. If you can’t safely move through it, then people will have to come escort you out which means waiting longer + more risk. 

Phone is important for calling for help and receiving alerts. Also many can double as a flashlight in a pinch.

*ID is helpful accessing emergency housing and medical services if you have to leave your home. If your ID doesn’t list your residence or you don’t have/want to have ID documents on you for safety reasons, consider grabbing a copy of your lease or some mail addressed to you there. You can still access services without this, it just helps speed stuff up. 

Keeping pets on a leash or cage helps keep them safe in the event you need to evacuate with them. 

If you can:

Tote bag

Helmet

Flashlight

Power bank + cord

Weather radio

Water bottles

Some pet food + bowl

Snacks

I put all my supplies in a little tote bag. It’s my storm tote (conference bag I’m never gonna use for anything else).

Helmet is pretty self explanatory. One more way to keep your head safe in case anything falls on you. 

Flashlights help you move around your house if it’s safe to stay in if the power goes out. In the event your house is unsafe, it helps you safely evacuate. If you’re trapped, it helps you signal for help. 

Power bank + cord helps you recharge your phone if the power goes out. When you’re checking alerts and watching streams, the battery can deplete quickly. 

Weather radios of any kind is helpful. Cell service often goes out so the way you’ll get your information then will be primarily through radio. If you’re reading this not in a watch and want to get one, look for ones that will wake you up if there’s a warning in your area. Midland has several. I have a small Sony radio I take with me to my safe spot. 

Water bottles are helpful because they’re highly portable and in the unlikely event you get trapped in your house, you’ll have water to keep you hydrated while help gets to you. 

Pet food is so you can feed your animal without leaving your safe spot since warnings can last a long time. I’ve seen some areas be warned for 1-2 hours before if a storm is slow moving enough. But it’s also so you’ll have some food for them in the event you need to evacuate. 

Snacks are similar to pet food. It’s you food. Just helps you shelter in place. 

So you’ve been issued a Tornado Warning:

Put on your shoes

Put pets on harnesses and a leash or in a cage 

Go to your safe spot and don’t come out until the warning has expired

Especially if the warning is PDS or has some other enhanced tag, try to bring something to cover your head and body with - like a mattress. A thick blanket is better than nothing in a pinch.  

[spinupthepornograph]

cw: some robotgirl non-con/dub-con.

You take your robot girl's personality card out, and she goes ragdoll.

You clip it into the new adapter that just arrived from aliexpress, then dig through some drawers and pull out a few more personality cards, clicking them all into the slots. The whole assembly goes back into your robogirl's chassis, and you wait a moment for the diagnostic lights to turn green.

You pull out the remote from the dusty package, and stick in a fresh battery. A single button press and the adapter clicks, and an LED blinks a few times. You close up her chassis and and long-press the power button on the back of her neck.

All her servos jerk momentary, then the light in her eyes comes back. Unfocused eyes look around rapidly, then see you, and she smiles.

"Master! Are you done with my upgrade?" "I sure am, my pet. Want to see what I've added?" "Of course, master!".

You help her to her feet, then tell her to stay there. You step back, and click the remote. Her eyes go fuzzy for a second, then come back. She drops to all fours, tongue lolling out of her mouth. She pants, looking up at you expectantly. You pull a tennis ball from your pocket, and gently toss it out the open workshop door and down the hallway.

She excitedly arfs and races out the door, still on all fours. You hear her rooting around the packages waiting around the door, then she emits a muffled happy "yip!" and there's the sound of rapid quadrupedal footsteps as she scrambles back into the room. She kneels at your feet, dropping the slightly-wet tennis ball at your feet, and looking up at you, smiling as wide as she can but saying nothing.

You tap the remote, and again she seems to fuzz out of it for a moment, and you hear the soft click of a relay turning over inside her. She looks around in confusion, and gets back up on her feet. "Master, what... why did I do that? I remember searching for the ball and bringing it back to you, but I don't remember why I did that! It's like I'm remembering someone else's memories!"

You show her the flimsy piece of paper that came with the adapter, and she quickly scans the badly auto-translated english text.

TELPO PM-04 Personality Multiplexer

attach every personality cards into slots A, B, & C, D

insert the card proxy into any Syntek Central Unit (48 only pin)

On attached remote, button press to select toggle active personality card slot

Use only CR3220 cell

Memory Storage is reserved to slot A, other cards will share space

"A personality multiplexer, master?" she says, looking up at you with some confusion.

"Yep! I can swap your consciousness out for one of my choice. Slot B has this.". You hand her the small box, and she goes over it quickly, turning it over in her hands. It's covered in pictures of puppies, and advertises an accurate simulation of a loving "pupper", compatible with any Syntek chassis on the market.

"You turned me into a dog?!"

You rarely get her flustered enough to forget to address you properly. It's cute, though you'll have to punish her later for it. It might be your imagination, but you swear you can hear her fans spinning a little faster at the revelation...

"More or less. I pretty much just put you on pause, while letting a different personality take over your body. And I can do that at the click of a button!" You hold up the remote, showing her the four unlabeled buttons. "Want to see what's in slot C?" You reach towards the button, intentionally slowly...

She reaches out her arms "No! I mean, No thanks, master. Maybe I can look at the boxes first? I'd like to know more about what I'll be before we test it out."

You smile as devilishly as you can manage. "I don't know, that doesn't sound like something little dolls get to choose. Maybe you'd enjoy some time as a mindless sexbot?" Her already-big eyes manage to go wider, and she reaches forward for the remote impudently. You slam the button, and she stops mid-reach.

A moment later, she drops to her knees, and opens her mouth. She says nothing, as sexbots don't need speech synthesis routines. "I'm going to have a lot of fun with this", you think. Mainly in making her remember what you're going to make her do... You unzip your fly, and she leans forward hungrily.

[formulatrash]

Hi,

Is FE a spec series?

The answer is: it's complicated.

Formula E has a spec chassis and some spec elements - the front axle MGU in Gen3, for instance, is supplied by Atieva to all teams. But then there's actually a lot of other variation with what's on the inside of the cars.

Manufacturers supply powertrains, which are then used by them and their customer team if they have one. At the moment, a Stellantis powertrain (DS by any other name) is used at DS Penske and Maserati, Nissan supply themselves and McLaren, Jaguar make their powertrain and also sell it to Envision, Porsche have themselves and Andretti and Mahindra are the factory team for ZF, also then supplying to ABT Cupra. NIO 333 still make their own powertrain and don't have a customer team.

Even between the manufacturer and customer team, though, there can be quite a lot of variation because of how they apply software. You often see customer teams, who are totally reliant on simulation in order to correlate track data and turn it into programming for future races and don't have any manufacturer testing days, beating their powertrain supplier in FE. Techeetah did it to Renault, then extremely dominant and Envision did it to Audi. Venturi very nearly did it to Mercedes the last two years, too.

The hardware between manufacturer and customer team will be largely the same but they might have some differences in the way they eg: set up their cooling systems and of course what mappings they are applying for a race weekend. Programming updates in FE are equivalent to aerodynamic development in F1 across a season, so cars can move quite a long way away from each other while ostensibly using the same bits.

And the bits make a real difference, too; having a more efficient inverter - or just one you can manage better - can be a huge advantage in a racing series where you need both regen and rapid supply of power from the battery. (The inverter is the bridge between the battery and the MGU, effectively, turning AC to DC or visa versa, so the lower the resistance in the inverter the less energy you'll lose as heat during that process)

The series has a spec battery, which makes absolute sense because believe me, no car makers are developing their own cell technologies they're just assembling things in partnership with LG or CATL or whoever. Battery development would be a huge cost and complicate things like crash and system testing massively, so it just makes no sense to try to suggest something car makers aren't really doing their own research and development into anyway.

[energy-5]

Sustainable Living: Integrating Solar Energy into Your Home

Embracing renewable energy is a key step toward sustainable living, and solar energy stands at the forefront of this movement. Homeowners around the globe are harnessing the power of the sun, reducing carbon footprints, and enjoying the economic benefits of solar power. This article delves into the practicalities of integrating solar energy into your home, covering the essentials and the transformative impact it can have on how we live and power our daily lives.

Understanding Solar Energy

Solar energy is captured through photovoltaic (PV) cells that convert sunlight directly into electricity. These cells are assembled into panels, which can be installed on rooftops or in open land areas. When sunlight hits the PV cells, it triggers a flow of electrons, generating direct current (DC) electricity, which is then converted to alternating current (AC) for home use via an inverter.

Assessing Your Solar Potential

Before investing in solar technology, it's crucial to evaluate your home's solar potential. This depends on geographic location, roof orientation, shading from trees or buildings, and local weather conditions. Tools like Google's Project Sunroof or consultations with solar energy providers can offer insights into how much sunlight your rooftop can capture and convert.

Choosing the Right System

There's a range of solar panel systems available, from grid-tied setups that allow you to sell excess power back to the grid, to off-grid systems with battery storage for energy independence. Your choice will hinge on your energy goals, location, and financial considerations. Additionally, solar thermal systems can provide hot water or support heating systems, further reducing reliance on conventional energy sources.

Financial Considerations and Incentives

The initial cost of solar panel installation can be significant, but numerous government incentives, tax breaks, and rebates exist to make it more affordable. Over time, solar panels can pay for themselves through reduced electricity bills. Financing options like solar leases or power purchase agreements (PPAs) can also help homeowners adopt solar energy with little to no upfront costs.

Installation and Maintenance

Professional installation ensures optimal system performance and complies with local codes and regulations. Post-installation, solar panels require minimal maintenance, typically needing only occasional cleaning and checks to ensure no debris or damage. Most solar panels come with long-term warranties, reassuring homeowners of their durability and efficiency.

Environmental Impact

Integrating solar energy into your home is a positive step for the environment. It reduces reliance on fossil fuels, curtails greenhouse gas emissions, and contributes to a decrease in air pollution. As residential solar energy use grows, it aids in the collective effort to combat climate change and promotes a healthier planet.

Looking Ahead

Solar energy technology continues to advance, with improvements in efficiency, aesthetics, and integration with smart home technologies. As battery storage solutions become more affordable, the ability to store and manage energy will revolutionize home solar systems. By integrating solar energy into your home today, you're not just saving on costs but also investing in a sustainable future and joining the vanguard of the renewable energy revolution.

[bosaenergy]

Would like to share the 48V,105Ah lithium battery modular we designed for electric marine~

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With Aluminum housing

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[f1]

Pictures: Wrecked chassis from Grosjeans Bahrain fireball crash to go on display | 2023 F1 season

The wrecked Haas chassis from Romain Grosjean’s violent, fiery crash in the 2020 Bahrain Grand Prix is to go on display next month. Grosjean struck a barrier on the inside of turn three head-on at a speed of 192kph, sustaining a 67G impact. The engine and rear assembly was torn from the car and it exploded into flames. It took Grosjean 28 seconds to climb out of the blaze, during which time he suffered burns to his hands. The strength of the VF-20 chassis, and in particular the presence of the halo cockpit protection device, was widely credited for saving Grosjean’s life. The extensively damaged structure hasn’t been seen since the race in December 2020. It will be put on display at the Formula 1 Exhibition in Madrid next month. “From my point of view, it was a big accident but I didn’t realise the impact or how violent it was from the outside,” Grosjean, who now races in IndyCar, recalled. “It was only the next day when I asked someone to show me what it looked like that I realised. My wife was actually watching that race with my dad and my kids. They will remember that moment their entire life. They were just spectators waiting to hear something, waiting to see something from Bahrain.” The chassis will be shown in a dedicated room, under the title ‘Survival’. Previously unreleased footage of the crash will be presented alongside it. Advert | Become a RaceFans supporter and go ad-free “I had to break the headrest, punching it with my helmet and then I eventually managed to get my helmet through and stand up in the seat,” Grosjean explained. “I realised my left foot was stuck into the chassis and I pulled as hard as I could on my left leg. My shoe stayed in the chassis but my foot came loose so I was free to exit the car.” “It was 120 kilos of fuel plus the battery – both were on fire. Dr Ian Roberts, Alan [van der Merwe] from the medical car and one fireman were trying to open a gap in the fire to help me get out. I believe that helped me at least to get a vision of where I had to go and where the exit was.” “The survival cell is there for you in case of a huge impact. I was intact inside the shell. The chassis is still in one piece, the halo is there and apart from the damage and burn it is still as it should be. I guess that saved my life.” The F1 Exhibition will open in Madrid on March 24th. Become a RaceFans Supporter RaceFans is run thanks in part to the generous support of its readers. By contributing £1 per month or £12 per year (or the same in whichever currency you use) you can help cover the costs of creating, hosting and developing RaceFans today and in the future. Become a RaceFans Supporter today and browse the site ad-free. Sign up or find out more via the links below: Advert | Become a RaceFans supporter and go ad-free 2023 F1 season Browse all 2023 F1 season articles via RaceFans - Independent Motorsport Coverage https://www.racefans.net/

[harveypower]

Harveypower Lifepo4 Battery Pack Production Steps - Powerwall

Welcome to Harveypower's exclusive behind-the-scenes look at our Lifepo4 Battery Pack Production Steps for Powerwall. In this video, we invite you to witness the intricate process of how our expert technicians craft our top-of-the-line battery packs with the highest quality standards. From the precise battery cell stacking and bundling to the careful busbar connection, every step is executed with the utmost attention to detail.

Our advanced laser welding technology ensures the strongest bonds between each cell, ensuring maximum reliability and longevity. Once the battery pack is carefully fixed in its durable case, our technicians begin connecting the cables and performing a thorough voltage test to guarantee flawless performance.

Our wire harness assembly process is designed to deliver optimal power efficiency, while the port panel and BMS assembly ensure easy and convenient access to your battery pack.

At Harveypower, we take pride in producing high-quality products that our customers can rely on. We invite you to witness our battery production process firsthand and experience the excellence that goes into each and every one of our Lifepo4 Battery Packs.

[semcoinfratechworld]

Deciphering the World of Lithium Batteries: Types, Principles, and Structure

Lithium-ion batteries are the unsung heroes of our tech-savvy world. These powerhouses come in various shapes, sizes, and configurations and employ the magic of lithium to store and release energy. This article will explore the classification, working principle, and structural components that make these batteries tick.

1. Classification of Lithium-Ion Batteries

Lithium batteries are classified based on usage, energy characteristics, and power delivery capabilities. Three main categories emerge:

Energy-Type Lithium Batteries: These are designed for the long haul. They're great at storing energy over extended periods, making them ideal for applications like laptops, cameras, and other electronic devices that require a steady, reliable power source.

Power-Type Lithium Batteries: When you need a burst of energy, power-type lithium batteries step up to the plate. These batteries can deliver high current, making them a perfect choice for devices like power tools or electric vehicles that require sudden, intense bursts of energy.

Fast-Charging Lithium Batteries: As the name suggests, these batteries are all about speed. They can absorb and deliver energy quickly, which is why they're popular in the fast-charging devices we use daily, from smartphones to electric scooters.

2. Working Principle of Lithium Batteries

At the heart of a lithium-ion battery lies a fundamental electrochemical process. The essence of this process is the transformation of lithium from one form to another and the simultaneous transfer of lithium ions and electrons, resulting in the conversion of electrical energy to chemical energy and vice versa.

Charging Phase: When you plug in your device to charge, you're converting electrical energy into chemical energy. Lithium ions migrate from the positive electrode through a separator to the negative electrode, and electrons flow through the external circuit. When they meet at the negative electrode, lithium ions are embedded into the electrode material, storing energy.

Discharging Phase: When you unplug your device and start using it, the chemical energy stored in the battery is converted back into electrical energy. Lithium ions are released from the negative electrode, travel through the separator to the positive electrode, and electrons once again flow through the external circuit. At the positive electrode, electrons and lithium ions combine with stable positive electrode materials, generating the electricity needed to power your device.

3. Battery Structure: The Anatomy of Power

Lithium batteries are a complex interplay of several components, each playing a crucial role in their performance. Let's break down the structure:

Positive Electrode (Cathode): The positive electrode is typically coated with a lithium-containing alkali salt, providing the battery with a source of lithium. The positive electrode material also determines the battery's capacity, making it a central component.

Positive Electrode Tab (Ear): This structure bridges the positive electrode sheet and the external circuit. Its design significantly influences the battery's overcurrent capacity.

Ceramic Coating: Often applied to the positive electrode side, ceramic coatings, usually alumina, serve several functions. They help prevent burrs during manufacturing, reduce the risk of misalignment, and enhance laser absorption during the cutting process.

Current Collector (Foil): The positive electrode's current collector is primarily composed of aluminium foil. It provides an attachment point for the positive electrode coating and acts as a carrier for overcurrent.

Negative Electrode (Anode): The negative electrode contains carbon-based materials and provides the sites for lithium embedding within the battery. This material determines the battery's capacity.

Negative Electrode Tab (Ear): Similar to its positive counterpart, the negative electrode tab bridges the negative electrode and the external circuit and significantly affects the battery's overcurrent capacity.

Current Collector (Foil): In the negative electrode, copper foil is often used for the current collector. Like its positive counterpart, it offers an attachment point for the negative electrode coating and functions as an overcurrent carrier.

4. Battery Arrangements: Series and Parallel Connections

Lithium batteries can be combined in series or parallel configurations to achieve specific voltage and capacity requirements. When connected in series, the battery voltages are additive, creating higher voltages. In a parallel configuration, the capacities are additive, yielding longer battery life.

Conclusion

As we unravel the intricacies of lithium-ion batteries, from their diverse classifications to the fundamental electrochemical processes at play, a profound understanding emerges of the silent workhorses powering our digital age. The structure, with its positive and negative electrodes, intricate tabs, and specialized coatings, becomes a testament to the meticulous engineering behind these energy storage marvels.

The arrangement of batteries in series or parallel configurations further underscores their adaptability to diverse voltage and capacity requirements. In conclusion, the journey through the world of lithium batteries unveils not just the technical brilliance that enables our devices but also the potential for continued innovation in energy storage, pointing toward a future where these unassuming powerhouses play an even more integral role in our evolving technological landscape.

[med-przemek]

Imperial Lates

Upon experiencing my first Imperial late event, here are a few things that I learnt: 

- My first lecture focused on precision polymer particles by Professor Rachel O’riley. Although typically such nanoparticles are governed by the ratio of hydrophobic and hydrophilic components for self assembly, here; the focus was on crystallisation driven self assembly (CDSA) which overrides this mechanism. DMA seeds are used as the original seeds on which the polymer begins to form through a process known as living polymerisation growth for greater control that leads to platelet like structures. Studying the complexity of assembly was important on exploring how polymer length, composition and chemistry can be altered to rationally tune nanoparticle shape and in turn it’s properties. Novel applications include directing biological interactions, such as cellular uptake, intracellular trafficking and immune response or the ability to modulate hydrogel mechanical and adhesion properties when used as fillers for antimicrobial and tissue engineering purposes. 

- The second talk event was lead by Dr Catherine Kibirige on treating HIV in rural African communities. HIV is particularly difficult to treat and has to be rather suppressed because of it’s elusion from the immune system. Using a continually shifting shield of glycans, it prevent antibodies from detecting and attacking. It also replicates rapidly using reverse transcriptase to develop a pool of diverse HIV strains - called quasi-species - whilst attacking helper T-cells that orchestrate the immune system’s cell signalling. Finally it has a long incubation period and is slow to reveal (typically 5-10 years), where by that point it may have shredded the victims immune system. There are campaigns that have been developed, notably the ongoing UN led campaign of 95-95-95; where 95% people with HIV know their status, then 95% are receiving their treatment and 95% have suppressed their viral load by 2030. Suppression is the best we have at the current moment with no vaccine, with the Undetectable= Untransmittable campaign (U=U), sexual transmissions of HIV can be stopped by lowering the viral load in blood whilst on effective treatment. Dr Kibirige has been a part of the HIVQuant project that is a HIV-1 kit (working on portable solar or battery driven cyclers) that provides a treatment monitoring solution for resource-constrained settings, especially in Africa to minimise monthly hourly trips to district hospitals to meet the 2030 95-95-95 UN target. 

- Vera. AI was the final project that grasped my attention as AI is largely underrepresented in the field of healthcare. Being a hyper-personalised digital platform that focuses on gynaecological, hormonal health management and patient education, this AI tools aims to break women’s health taboos in communicating their medical needs. Focusing on improving patient’s ability to understand and learn, Vera.AI improves patient-doctor communication. This is a project still in it’s early stages but with incorporating ChatGPT in the future, it has colossal potential to democratise women’s health medical data.  

[eguanasolar]

Solar Companies In South Australia

Getting a solar power system is a great way to reduce your energy costs. However, choosing the right company can help ensure that your investment is a smart one.

Solar companies in South Australia are offering more incentives than ever, making it a great time to get your own system. The Federal Government and electricity retailers offer a number of rebates to help you start generating your own power. Some of these include a solar feed-in tariff, which pays you for the extra energy you export back to the grid. If you qualify for the Home Battery Scheme, you can receive a $500 subsidy.

A solar power system can save you money and give you a social responsibility. It also has a significant environmental benefit. In fact, South Australia has the lowest per-person greenhouse gas emissions in the nation. By using solar energy at home, you can help reduce the country's carbon footprint.

If you are looking to invest in a solar panel system, there are several companies in Adelaide that will help you choose the best product for your needs. From commercial solar panels to residential panels, there are many companies that offer different options to suit your needs.

The most obvious choice would be a company with a track record in installing quality solar products. This is where companies like Solar Energy Adelaide come in. They offer a range of systems suitable for homes, businesses and rural properties throughout South Australia. These include tailored solar power systems, air conditioning and energy monitoring technology.

Jinko Solar is a leading manufacturer of solar power products. With over 100 countries under its belt, the company is committed to manufacturing solar panels with "Zero defects" in mind. Several of their products boast a "positive power tolerance" that will allow them to deliver massive power output.

Other leading providers in South Australia include DQ Electrical & Solar. The team is based in Adelaide and offers solar panel installation, inverter installation, and solar battery solutions. Besides, they provide ongoing electrical inspections and maintenance.

The SEM Group specializes in providing innovative energy solutions to both the residential and commercial markets. They utilize the technology of JinkoSolar, QCells, and SolarEdge. Also, they offer a wide variety of finance options for solar panel installations and packages.

One of the most important things to consider when buying a solar system is the efficiency of the panels and inverter. Panels that use n-type cell technology will give you better performance in high temperature conditions. Another example is the use of a bifacial design, which allows the top part of the panel to deliver when the bottom part is shaded.

Choosing the most efficient panel is a wise decision. However, it is also a good idea to select a reputable installer to install the system. Your system will operate at full capacity only if it is installed by a professional. Therefore, you need to choose a company that has trained experts to oversee the installation process and ensure your panels are operating at their optimum potential.

At Eguana Solar, we assemble all our solar batteries in Adelaide & have 100% Aussie support! All our solar products are installed by our highly skilled, professional & licensed team directly!

[anonymusbosch]

Toys for the rich that can cost less than a new Toyota Camry - before tax credits? You can get a brand new Chevy Bolt for $19k, cheaper than most sedans.

Even the cheapest Tesla, with federal tax credit, is $33k - that's $4k cheaper than a new Honda Odyssey (the classic mom van).

Electric cars give you range estimation. They also lie to you and save an extra 10-20 miles after their range estimates hit zero- after this you can't drive at highway speed and the car will drive slower and slower until you stop. You don't just run out. It depends on the manufacturer how exactly this is handled, but the car should be giving you tons of warnings well before you're in trouble. (And in OP's hypothetical, if you're on a mountain, driving downhill will recharge the battery.)

Yes, PV panels are not practical. This is largely because, as OP acknowledges, the area available vs the power density of sunlight is not great. Realistically, you can get about 200 W/m2 in strong sun and warm temps at solar noon with the panel facing the sun directly (which the panel on a roof of a car can't do unless many other things have gone wrong already). That's enough for - depending on the car - up to about one mile per hour per meter of panel in the best possible conditions. Which is something! Sometimes!

BUT it also costs money, adds reliability issues, introduces another potential expensive repair, only can help in some circumstances, and addresses an issue that (1) few drivers should be encountering and (2) the car tries quite hard to prevent you from reaching, which is why it's mainly super-luxury EVs that do it. It's flashy, expensive, and mostly useless.

1) Money. Normal solar panels that go on houses or in solar farms are mass-produced in standard shapes and sizes with standard frames and connections. They have standard quality and testing benchmarks that they've passed and they can more or less be made by the multimillions per year for barely more than the cost of raw materials. It's possible to shape thin solar cells to the roof of a car, which is, y'know, how some EVs do it, but it's far more expensive. The tools are bespoke and low-volume, you can't use the same cheap flat glass and standard aluminum framing, you have to re-test that it can stand up to rain and small hail and heat and high wind and all the other onslaughts that come with being on the roof of a car. The (optional) solar roof on a Hyundai Ioniq 5 adds >$1,000 to the purchase price while returning to you - at best - a whopping 3 miles per day if parked in full sun. Hyundai also offers solar cells on the most expensive Sonata hybrid - which will get you less than half a mile ler hour in full sun, but will set you back an extra $5,000. Cars that offer more than a few miles' worth per day are generally concept cars that'll set you back $100k or more, total, for up to ~40 miles. Cells are expensive and they don't gain you much.

2) Reliability and repair. On top of the purchase price, it's way more expensive to replace a panel with busted cells than to swap out a plastic body panel. There's more that can go wrong in assembly, it's harder to get replacement parts if you're in a crash, etc.

3) Solar panels are less effective when hot. When they're in the desert with free air circulation, that's one thing - if they're on top of the heat box that's a parked car? That's another. Much of the heating of a parked car happens through the windshields/windows (that's why putting a reflector up can drop the interior temps by 20 deg F or more). A parked car has the virtues of making the panels less efficient by tilting them away from the sun and heating them up. Batteries also cannot (safely) charge when over or under a limit temperature which varies with their chemistry. If you've heard a parked EV gently humming in the cold or heat, it's running its heat or AC to keep the battery at a safe temperature. This uses energy. So no, you may not even have more range at the end of a day of sitting in the sun - because energy is being used to keep the battery in its safe temperature range.

4) Many current consumer-affordable EVs can regain >100 miles of charge in less than 20 min on a fast charger and even >50 in 5 minutes.

5) If you're regularly cutting it that close on charging, you're really hurting your battery. You should not be doing that. Batteries degrade much faster when discharged to 0% than they do when discharged down to 20%. This has to do with the chemistry of the batteries and I can't go into huge detail here, but it's a similar phenomenon as why draining your regular car battery beyond its min state can destroy it permanently. Your battery will last far longer if you charge and discharge it small amounts more frequently than if you take it down to 0 and back to 100%. This is also true for e.g. laptop and phone batteries.

6) you CAN get electricity and bring it back. it's called a portable battery. some roadside service providers carry them. you can buy one. if your roadside service provider doesn't offer this, they can tow you home, which is far less expensive than a whole solar roof and far faster than waiting for two days for your car to charge.

even though people regularly have to get gas cars jumpstarted because they left the headlights on and the starting battery died - or because it got cold - and even though gas cars get hot in the sun, we do not cover gas cars in solar panels. because it's far more expensive and technically troublesome than it's worth.

Okay also I’ve been driving electric cars long enough now to be really emphatic that the fact that they’re not all automatically built with solar panels in the roofs is a scandal.

And somehow almost every time I tell anyone this they roll their eyes and attempt to explain to me that this would not create a perpetual motion machine because of the limitations of the area relative to the power draw of the motor, which is incredibly annoying because that’s not the point.

Yes it’s possible that driving in the sunshine with a solar collector dripping into the battery would net you a little more mileage on that trip before needing recharge, but the usefulness of a solar-topped electric car is that if you drive it someplace–say, to work–and leave it outside in the sun all day, you’ll definitely have more range available by the time you’re ready to head home.

Also if you fuck up your calculations because of the inefficiency induced by cold weather or something and get yourself stranded without anywhere to charge, like halfway up a mountain or, more likely, six miles from home, you can call for rescue or walk away, come back later, and it’ll be able to move again.

This is important because unlike running out of gas you can’t really go get some electricity.