With gigabit wireless data connections and CPUs that rival those of the best workstations from the past, the current smartphone is a remarkable technological marvel. And the newest computers are no exception. The battery is the one item that isn’t keeping up. Although improvements in lithium-ion battery capacity have been gradual, recent studies have shown a straightforward method by which we may be able to extend the operating life of these cells. A little tape will do the trick.
A research team from Dalhousie University in Canada has revealed that over time, the tape that is frequently used to build lithium-ion batteries may cause damage to the component parts. Anu Adamson, a PhD candidate and project coordinator, claims that PET tape is not chemically stable when batteries are operating. Dimethyl terephthalate is the monomer form of PET that depolymerizes in the absence of any additional treatment. This material is referred to as a “redox shuttle,” which lowers lithium-ion cell performance. This influences how long the battery lasts between charges as well as how quickly it discharges while the battery is not in use.
The good news is that it can be easy to remedy. A comparable substance does not break down inside batteries, but PET tape does. According to the study, polypropylene (PP) tape may perform the same function as PET tape in terms of maintaining stability and holding components together over the course of a battery’s life. According to the experts, PP tape can extend the battery life of your laptop or phone by roughly 10%.
The significant decrease in self-discharge would be the bigger advantage. A lithium-ion battery experiences self-discharge and loses some of its power when left idle. The dissolution of PET tape can result in a substantial loss. You set your phone down on a table, and when you go to pick it up later, even though it was turned off, the battery is dead. According to the research, PP tape may be able to reduce self-discharge by as much as 70%.
The study is only the beginning; it was published in Nature Materials. This finding will undoubtedly be investigated further, and electronics producers will undoubtedly carry out their own internal technical testing. It won’t be an expensive adjustment, though. When the data is confirmed, the researchers point out that PP tape is around the same cost as PET, thus the shift would be obvious. But, nothing will be done to improve the short battery life of the phone you currently own, and it might take some time until a more battery-friendly glue is developed.