Types of Lithium Batteries

May 11, 2022May 11, 2022 Olusola

There are many types of lithium batteries. The 3 most common types of commercially available ones will be briefly discussed. They are;

Lithium ion (Li-ion)

Lithium Polymer (RC Lipo)

Lithium Iron Phosphate (Life PO4)

Lithium ion (Li-ion) batteries

These are the most common types used in consumer electronics like laptops, cell phones, power tools etc. They have the highest energy to weight ratios. These batteries are relatively safe, they won’t just burst into fire. They have long cycle lives. The shortest is about 300 discharge circles, and can reach as high as 1000 discharge circles. The most common workable form is the 18650 cylindrical cell ( 18mm dia. & 65mm height). They have nominal voltage of around 3.7V and a discharge-charge voltage range of 2.5V- 4.2V.

Lithium Polymer (RC Lipo) Batteries

These batteries can provide high discharge rates for long periods of time. They are used for equipment that require high discharge rates such as Remote control led drones, helicopters, cars, planes etc. These batteries are very cheap, cheaper than a typical lithium ion and life PO4 battery. They have very short cycle lives, about 200 recharge discharge cycles. They have a lower discharge – charge range of about 3V – 3.7V. They are very volatile and can easily burst into flames if not carefully handled.

Lithium Iron Phosphate (LifePO4)

LifePO4 battery cells are heavier and less energy dense than most lithium ion cells.

These batteries have the longest cycle life of all the common lithium battery cell types.

They have a nominal voltage of about 3.2 V per cell and discharge- charge voltage of 2.5V- 3.65V. The Best applications for LifePO4 cells are projects that require long cycle lives and high safety.

General information in Lithium batteries

Lithium battery cells when fully charged can read up to 4.2V and at its discharged state reads 2.5V. Lithium battery cells discharged below 2.5 V will cause irreparable damage to the cell. This is why Lithium batteries are fitted with a battery management system, BMS. The main function of BMS is to ensure that the battery is properly charged as well as to prevent overcharging and over discharging.

8 reasons to build your own PC

May 7, 2022May 7, 2022 Olusola

Buy the exact parts you need to build your PC. When shopping for pre-built PCs in the market, finding the one that exactly suits you can be very hard.

Buying the PC components yourself and putting them together to make your PC is usually cheaper than a pre-built one of the same kind. You can also take advantage of deals when shopping for PC components.

You will be satisfied that you are really getting what you need for your business.

Building your computer yourself will help you understand how your PC works and rightly troubleshoot when necessary.

If you are really committed to building your PC you can spread the cost. That is, buying the components one by one until you get everything needed to build. You don’t have to borrow money.

Many prebuilt PCs come with software/Operating systems you don’t need or prefer. When you build your own PC, you install the software and the preferred operating system you need.

Better cooling for your PC is easily achieved by the careful choice of a PC case. You have a variety of PC cases to choose from. Some cases even come with multiple cooling fans That will better cool the processors making your PC work efficiently and last longer.

Its fun and a worthwhile experience when you build your own PC.

Forms of Lithium Batteries

May 6, 2022May 6, 2022 Olusola

Lithium batteries have been available since the 1970s. Technological advances in Lithium battery research have made it the most sought after now. Lithium batteries have a high energy to weight ratio, over 1000 discharge cycles and fast recharging. These batteries are used in mobile phones, security gadgets, drones, electric cars and so on.

Composition of a typical lithium battery cell.

A lithium battery is composed of 4 parts namely;

Cathode: (+ terminal). It is a lithium compound mixed with other materials.

Anode: (+negative terminal). It is a graphite material.

Electrolyte: An organic compound containing lithium salts to transfer lithium ions.

Porous separator: Allows lithium ions to pass through itself but separating the cathode and anode.

Form of Lithium batteries

Pouch: These forms of lithium batteries look like thin foil bags. They have two terminals at an edge of the porch. They are lightweight and cheap to produce. They are used to power cell phones and some types of laptops.

Prismatic: these are similar to pouch in form but more robust. The battery cells are placed in rigid rectangular cases. They have threaded terminals which makes building of larger batteries easier. They are used in high energy storage devices such as electric vehicles and home use.

Cylindrical: These forms of lithium batteries look like the AA batteries we use in our touch lights and remote controls. However the cylindrical lithium battery form is much larger than a typical AA battery in size. Unlike pouch and prismatic forms of lithium batteries, the sizes of cylindrical lithium batteries are standardized. The most commonly used cylindrical battery size is the 18650 cell. The 18650 cell means that the Lithium battery cell is 18mm in diameter and 65 mm long. There are other standard sizes too like the 14500 cell ( 14mm dia & 50mm length) and the 26650 cell( 26mm dia & 65 mm length). Cylindrical lithium battery cells are used in laptops, power banks, electric cars, solar system and so on.

Liverpool and Real Madrid into Final of Champions League Final

May 5, 2022May 5, 2022 Olusola

*Liverpool vs Real Madrid. Final UEFA Champions League*

It’s Liverpool Vs Real Madrid in the Champions League Final 2021/ 2022 edition.

It was not easy for both teams in the semis.

Liverpool, who thought they had one foot in the final after their first leg win over Villarreal by 2-0 at Anfield got a run for their money after Villarreal levelled up in the first half of the second leg. But just as it happened in the first leg when the scores were still 0-0 at the end of the first half, Villarreal again capitulated in the second half and allowed Liverpool to score 3 goals giving Liverpool a 5-2 win on aggregate. Jurgen Klopp was a relieved man after the game, he knew at a point in the game ,they were almost knocked out.

Real Madrid are getting better and better. Just like their comeback win against Chelsea in the quarters, they also came back to beat inform Manchester City 6-5 on aggregate. Karim Benzema is the joker for Real Madrid. In the quarter final, he scored a hat trick against Chelsea and nailed Chelsea’s coffin with the deciding goal via a penalty in extra time. The same happened with Man City. Manchester City were winning 5-3 on aggregate by the 73rd minute, However Real Madrid Levelled up and once again Karim Benzema nailed City’s coffin with a penalty goal in extra time to win 6-5 on aggregate.

Real Madrid, the 13 time winners, are the favorites to lift the trophy. Liverpool will have to be at their very best and take care of Benzema to stand a chance.

How to make Pop Corn at Home

May 5, 2022May 5, 2022 Olusola

Making your own popcorn at home is fast and easy. All you need is corn grains ( that can pop), butter or vegetable oil, sugar and a cooking pot that has a thick base.

Make sure you purchase popcorn grains. Not all corn grains are suitable for popcorn.

Procedure for making popcorn

Put butter the size of a teaspoon into the cooking pot ,place it on a cooker and melt on medium heat.

Next, put in some popcorn grains and use a spoon to mix with the melted butter.

Cover the pot and wait for all the corn grains to pop.

Switch off the cooker, open the pot cover and add sugar to the popcorn and stir gently.

Popcorn is ready to be served.

Further Notes on making popcorn

Make sure you cover the pot while corn is looking otherwise the popcorn will fall to the ground.

Use low to medium heat to cook your popcorn otherwise it might get burnt.

After all the corn has popped, switch off the cooker before adding sugar and mixing with the popcorn. Otherwise the sugar will melt and then burn giving your popcorn a burnt taste.

Don’t put too many corn grains in the pot. The amount of grains you put should barely cover the base of the cooking pot

How to make Quick Mayonnaise

April 29, 2022April 29, 2022 Olusola

Mayonnaise is getting expensive these days. I know you have heard you can make it on your own at home. It is true, I have tried it and it worked.

Ingredients you need to make your homemade mayonnaise

Vegetable oil
One egg
Pinch of salt
Sugar to taste
Lemon/vinegar

Vegetable oil should be of good quality, canola oil, Avocado oil, soya oil and the normal vegetable oil will work.

The egg should be fresh and of good quality otherwise mayonnaise will not form. Note that it is the egg and oil that forms the mayonnaise. The rest ingredients are just to give taste/flavour and preserve.

Just a pinch of salt.

You can add sugar to taste.

2 teaspoons of either lemon or vinegar juice should do. It adds flavour and preserves the mayonnaise.

Equipment you will need

Blender/mixer

Any blender or mixer will do.

Procedure of making Mayonnaise (Using a blender)

Put the egg, pinch of salt, two teaspoons of lemon or vinegar Into the blender jar and cover it.

Set the machine to the lowest setting then mix.

Next open the hole provided within the cover of the blender jar, switch on the blender then very slowly pour the vegetable oil into the jar as it mixes.

The sound of the blender will change when the mixture has thickened. That is your homemade mayonnaise.Switch off the blender. Store the mayonnaise in a bottled container and use within 24 hours.

[Optional] You can also add two or more teaspoons of sugar to the mayonnaise and mix for two seconds in the blender if you like.

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