IEEE 1725-2021: Rechargeable Batteries For Mobile Phones
American adults spend an average of 4.5 hours on their mobile devices daily. The most popular smartphone activity is messaging, which 75% of smartphone users engage in, followed by emailing (71%) and managing finances (63%). Hence, ensuring a mobile phone’s battery reliability is critical for accessing information and instantly connecting with people worldwide through applications. IEEE 1725-2021: IEEE Standard For Rechargeable Batteries For Mobile Phones establishes criteria for design analysis of rechargeable lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries for cellular telephone applications.
What Is the Rule about Lithium Batteries on Airplanes?
The reason TSA asks if you have lithium-ion batteries is because they have a tendency to overheat, and can cause smoke, fire, and extreme heat. This generally occurs in units that are damaged or defective. Things that can trigger lithium-ion battery-related incidents include overheating, electrical triggers like overcharging or short-circuiting, or physical damage to the unit.
Devices containing lithium metal batteries or lithium-ion batteries include smartphones, tablets, cameras, laptops, tablets, pacemakers, hearing aids, and portable rechargers. In 2022, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reported lithium battery incidents on aircraft averaging nearly one incident per week, which involved batteries overheating, smoke, and even fires. The majority of the incidents in 2022 were caused by vapes and electric smoking devices. Hence, airline requirements for lithium-ion batteries vary based on the type of device and size of battery.
Since the Li-ion cell is the basic element that powers device operation, it is essential to pay close attention to the critical cell design factors to assure reliable cell performance and avoid generation of a potential hazard. IEEE 1725-2021 provides the design characteristics of rechargeable lithium-ion batteries to help assure a safe and reliable user experience.
What Is IEEE 1725?
IEEE 1725-2021 specifies criteria for design analysis for qualification, quality, and reliability of rechargeable lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries for host devices such as cellular telephone applications. The standard also includes battery pack electrical and mechanical construction, packaging technologies, and pack- and cell-level charge and discharge controls and overall system considerations. It covers all forms of rechargeable Li-ion cells regardless of chemistry, assembly, and packaging.
The purpose of IEEE 1725-2021 is to guide manufacturers/suppliers in planning and implementing the controls for the design and manufacture of Li-ion rechargeable battery packs used for host devices. The standard also aims to help assure reliable user experience and operation of rechargeable battery systems.
Why Is the Separator in Batteries Made Porous?
The separator is a critical element in lithium-ion cell construction. It physically prevents internal short circuits inside the cell by separating the anode (negative) from the cathode (positive) and provides a path for ionic current flow inside the cell. In other words, battery separators provide a barrier between the anode and the cathode while enabling the exchange of lithium ions from one side to the other. The separator must be permeable and made porous in order to hold enough liquid electrolyte that allows ions to move between the electrodes and enables the pores to close if the cell overheats.
What Is the Average Life of a Mobile Phone Battery?
Lithium-ion batteries are generally more effective and prevalent than lithium-polymer batteries because they have better density and higher-power capacity. They are also more versatile in terms of their size and shape, making them suitable for smaller devices. Lithium-ion batteries also last longer on average. Typically, a modern phone battery’s (lithium-ion) lifespan is 2-3 years, which is about 300 – 500 charge cycles as rated by manufacturers. After that, the battery capacity will drop by roughly 20%, meaning that older batteries do not hold a charge as well or as long. The reason lithium-ion batteries deteriorate is due to age, temperature, and the number of charging cycles.
IEEE 1725-2021 details that the operating voltage, current, and temperature conditions for the cell, battery pack, and host device should be set on the basis of an agreement made among the cell, battery pack, and host device manufacturers/suppliers and should be based on the operating limits of the cell, as specified by the cell manufacturer/supplier.
IEEE 1725-2021: IEEE Standard For Rechargeable Batteries For Mobile Phones is available on the ANSI Webstore.
