Technology

Do You Know Why & How Your E-Scooter’s Batteries Age?

Published

1 year ago

January 24, 2023

And you thought aging happens only to people. True, appliances break down, houses deteriorate, foods rot, plants wither, pictures fade, and people grow old.

But batteries? Really? How and why do batteries age?

First, you need to understand what goes on inside your electric scooter. Did you know that lithium ion batteries ‘age’ when internal corrosion occurs within individual battery cells? This is a typical process that occurs during charging and discharging. However, it can also be hastened through improper care. Yes, neglect, abuse, also constitute taking improper care of your e-scooter and this quickens the so-called aging progression.

There’s no better way to explain the technical route than by simply saying it as it is. During charging, lithium ion is shuttled into the graphite anode. During discharging, the lithium ion is released from the anode. In time, however, the lithium ion will begin to cover or plate over the anode and this forms a solid electrolyte interface that grows and as a result, diminishes the capacity of the battery.

Over charging, completely discharging, and extreme temperatures accelerate the plating of the lithium ion to anode, thereby degrading it. Now you know.

Next question. Why is it important to store partially charged e-scooter batteries?

During storage, battery cells will continue to lose charge. When it is below 2.7 volts/cell, the battery seriously degrades and can even become unstable and potentially hazardous.

The third question. Why shouldn’t you leave the scooter plugged in after charging?

Once the electric scooter battery is fully charged, the extra charge will cause further plating of metallic lithium onto the anode in the battery. This metallic lithium will accumulate in time and will degrade the battery capacity by blocking the flow of lithium ions and consequently, electrons.

The fourth question. Why is plugging into the wall first the e-scooter charger the best practice?

Plugging your charger into the wall first before plugging it into the e-scooter is the safest way for charging if you don’t have a reliable instruction manual.

Another information you need to remember:

The charger has an output capacitor that is sitting 0 volts of potential when NOT plugged in. If you connect the un-powered charger to your scooter’s battery, which is typically at 36 V up to 84 V (depending on the e-scooter), it will discharge a huge amount of current into the 0 V capacitor.

This is dangerous as it can result in sparking and cause damage to the charger.

What to do then? If you plug the charger in first, you are bringing the output capacitor voltage much closer to that of the battery. So when you plug it in, the voltage difference will be miniscule and you shouldn’t get a current spike.

The fifth question. Is it okay to charge the electric scooter everyday?

It is really not necessary to charge your scooter every time you ride it. But you must be conscious to always keep the battery between 30 percent to 80 percent of capacity at all times. And if you’re planning to go on a long leisure trip, just make sure the scooter is charged 100 percent, to capacity.

Lastly, what must you do if your electric scooter’s battery ‘dies’?

You need to know for sure. Try to fix a dead battery by simply charging it. Do take note that it will take a bit longer to completely charge the battery. How to avoid then? To avoid this from happening in the future, make sure that your battery never runs out of charge. Always, always charge your electric scooter battery at the end of the day after using it.

In closing, here are practical tips for maximizing your e-scooter battery:

1. Store your e-scooter in a cool, dry place whether for short or long periods and keep it charged at least 40 percent;

2. Operate or use your scooter within 30 percent to a maximum of 80 percent of its battery capacity;

3. Always make sure that you charge the e-scooter battery when it is between 32 F and 113 F (0 C to 45 C);

4. Never leave your e-scooter charger plugged in after you have finished charging;

5. Don’t fully discharge your scooter for less than an hour;

6. Don’t fully charge your scooter for less than an hour.

Follow this basic advice so you can enjoy the benefits of riding all the way.

Technology

Samsung develops the fastest DRAM chip for AI applications in the industry

Published

3 days ago

April 17, 2024

IANS

Samsung develops industry's fastest DRAM chip for AI applications

In a groundbreaking development, Samsung has announced the creation of the industry’s first low-power double data rate 5X (LPDDR5X) DRAM chip for AI applications. The new chip boasts high performance of up to 10.7 Gbps, marking a significant improvement in both speed and capacity compared to previous models.

Low-power, high-performance LPDDR chips are becoming increasingly important in the on-device AI market. Samsung’s latest LPDDR5X products, developed with 12 nanometer-class process technology, are the smallest in size among existing LPDDR chips, further cementing the company’s position as a leader in the low-power DRAM sector.

A company spokesperson stated, “Samsung will continue to innovate and deliver optimized products for the upcoming on-device AI era through close collaboration with customers.” Mass production of the LPDDR5X is set to commence in the second half of the year, pending verification by mobile application processor and device providers.

The unveiling of Samsung’s LPDDR5X DRAM chip represents a significant step forward in the field of AI technology. The chip’s impressive performance and capacity enhancements are expected to further drive the adoption of on-device AI solutions in various industries. This groundbreaking innovation is sure to set a new standard for memory solutions tailored for AI applications.

Technology

PM Modi expresses strong interest in Zoho’s rural development model: Sridhar Vembu

Published

3 days ago

April 17, 2024

IANS

PM Modi showed keen interest in our model of rural development: Zoho's Sridhar Vembu

New Delhi, April 17 (IANS) – Zoho Founder and CEO, Sridhar Vembu, revealed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed interest in Zoho’s rural development model in Tenkasi district, Tamil Nadu during his recent meeting. PM Modi praised the company’s efforts in creating high-tech capabilities and jobs in rural areas.

During an election rally in Ambasamudram, PM Modi met Vembu to discuss Zoho’s rural development through R&D model. Vembu expressed gratitude towards PM Modi for taking the time to understand and appreciate the company’s operations in Tenkasi as a model of rural development.

“PM Modi came to Ambasamudram which is close to my village. Even in the middle of his hectic campaign schedule, he gave me time to meet him and brief him on our rural development through R&D model and on creating high-tech capability and jobs in rural areas,” Vembu shared on social media.

Vembu highlighted that PM Modi showed keen interest in Zoho’s Tenkasi operations. He praised the Prime Minister’s leadership and expressed his support for his continued health and service to the nation. Zoho, founded in 1996 and headquartered in Chennai, employs over 15,000 individuals globally.

During his rally in Ambasamudram, PM Modi criticized the DMK in Tamil Nadu, alleging that they conspired with the Congress to hand over the Katchatheevu island to a foreign nation. PM Modi emphasized his commitment to developing a ‘Viksit Tamil Nadu’ along with a ‘Viksit Bharat’ for overall progress.

The interaction between PM Modi and Zoho’s CEO highlights the government’s interest in innovative rural development models like the one implemented by Zoho in Tenkasi district. The meeting signifies a recognition of the potential for high-tech job creation in rural areas leading to localized economic growth and development.

Technology

MediBuddy Healthcare Platform Reaches Break-Even Point in Fiscal Year 2024

Published

3 days ago

April 17, 2024

IANS

Healthcare platform MediBuddy achieves break-even in FY24

New Delhi, April 17 (IANS) Digital healthcare platform MediBuddy has announced that it has reached break-even with a marginal loss in the previous fiscal year, moving towards EBITDA neutrality. The company has seen a significant increase in its user base by 2.4 times over the last three years, serving close to 3 crore people with over 1 crore subscribers.

According to Satish Kannan, Co-founder and CEO of MediBuddy, “By leveraging technology, our platform enhances doctor-patient interactions, fueling remarkable growth and expanding healthcare access nationwide.” The company is now focusing on exploring mergers and acquisitions opportunities in key healthcare areas such as chronic disease management, mental health, diabetes, women’s care, and weight management, supported by an $18 million capital pool.

MediBuddy has a network of over 90,000 doctors across more than 22 specialities, and works with over 7,100 hospitals and clinics. The company has also onboarded over 10,000 hospitals and diagnostic centers for all radiology and pathology investigations. Kannan stated, “We empower doctors through our platform, offering accessible care via video consultations, hospital visits, clinics, pharmacy deliveries, and diagnostic services.”

The company’s commitment to innovation and technology has led to its break-even milestone, as it continues to focus on providing quality healthcare services to its growing user base. MediBuddy’s emphasis on enhancing doctor-patient interactions and expanding healthcare access has contributed to its success in achieving break-even status in the previous fiscal year.