Accessories

Potassium Key to Self-Healing Batteries?

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With the demand for batteries continually on the rise, the time is ripe for an alternative to lithium, the material making current batteries. Enter potassium, as researchers at the Rensselear Polytechnic Institute discover a means to turn the metal into a potential power source.

PotassiumWhile lithium is expensive and mined using environmentally damaging means, potassium is cheap, abundant and easier to work with. It also offers energy densities (by both volume and weight) comparable to lithium in the shape of full potassium anodes. However potassium, like lithium, has a problem called dendrite formation. Essentially, during charging and discharging bits of metal attach to the anode and form dendrites, or spiky branch-like structures. Dendrites grow until they poke through the membrane separating the anode from the cathode, reducing the lifespan of the battery and increasing the risk of short circuits.

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EP Demands Common Charger Regulation!

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The European Parliament (EP) votes favour for the mandatory introduction of common chargers for all mobile devices, with MEPs massively approving the resolution by 582 votes to 40, with 37 abstentions.

ChargersThe EP now demands the European Commission (EC), the body in charge of drafting EU legislation, to adopt the delegated act foreseen in the 2014 Radio Equipment Directive by July 2020 or, if necessary, table a legislative measure by the same date. The Radio Equipment Directive calls for the development of a common charger, but efforts to "encourage" the industry to develop such a device fell short of co-legislator objectives. However some progress has been made since then, with the number of charging solution types dropping from over 30 in 2009 to just 3 in 2020.

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More Powerful Batteries via Lithium-Sulfur?

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Researchers at Monash University claim to be on the brink of creating the "world's most efficient" lithium-sulfur (Li-S) battery, one able to power a smartphone for days or an electric vehicle for over 1000km without need for recharging.

Researchers batteriesA study published in Science Advances on January 2020 describes technology using the same materials as standard lithium-ion batteries, only with redesigned sulphor cathodes able to accommodate higher stress without drops in overall capacity or performance. Interestingly, the design is inspired by a "unique bridging architecture" found in processing detergent powders, leading to a method to create bonds between particles to accommodate stress and deliver unprecedented levels of stability in a battery.

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Put the AirPods in a PopGrip

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PopSockets, maker of the ubiquitous smartphone grips, combines the accessory with an AirPod case to bring about the PopGrip AirPods Holder, a means to stick the case to the back of the iPhone while making it easier to hold.

Airpods holder

Originally designed for wrapping wired earbuds, PopGrips have expanded be anything from discs to better secure phones in one hand to means to make a fashion statement and even something akin to a wallet. The PopGrip AirPods Holder does not actually replace the charing case, mind. Instead, it holds the case, making it stick out on the back of the phone and ensuring the user does not forget it.

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Olloclip Lenses for iPhone 11, Samsung S10

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"Mobile Lens System" maker Olloclip announces a range of products, including one-piece clips and protective cases, for use with the iPhone 11, Pro and Pro Max, together with the Samsung S10 and S10e.

Olloclip lenses“With the arrival of the iPhone 11 series and Samsung’s new S series, Olloclip is proud to continue innovating exciting solutions for mobile photographers who just want to shoot on their phones,” the company says. “Olloclip’s unique unibody clips make attachment to the phone a breeze, and our precise engineering ensures that whatever lens is being used fits perfectly every time.”

The clip system snaps on top of the smartphone, even if it is inside a case. Compatible lenses snap on the clip over the built-in camera module, creating an interchangeable lens system for mobile photography. Additions to the lens system include the Macro 10X Essential, Pocket Telephoto 2X Essential and a Stability Kit update complete with Bluetooth shutter release, "super-light" tripod and pivot grip stabiliser.

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