Battery Charging System

About

Technology Yi Ding and Krishan K. Ahuja from the Georgia Tech Research Institute have developed a method of using sound to increase the rate of battery charging. Because the acoustic excitation reduces the internal resistance of the battery, batteries charge faster with less power and have an increased cycle life. Multiple methods may be used to acoustically enhance charging: dipping the battery in a commercially available ultrasonic bath, inserting a sound source in the battery electrolyte, impinging small jets on the exterior of the battery, or enclosing the battery with a fluid jacket emitting ultrasonic waves. The addition of sound enhances constant-current, constant-voltage, pulsed-current, and other charging methods. Experimental results have demonstrated that 100% charge efficiency can be achieved with pulse-plus-acoustic charging in as little as 10 minutes. Approximately 20% less power is required to fully charge a battery with the addition of ultrasonic excitation. Testing has also shown that cycle life may be to two- to three-times longer with acoustic excitation as compared to charging without sound.  Advantages Lower cost: Less power is required to recharge batteries. Faster: The addition of sound waves during charging shortens the time to fully recharge the battery. Longer battery life: Up to three times greater life cycles can be obtained than via conventional charging.