Technical Description of the Apple Brand
Li-ion Polymer Battery 3.82V
Kazi Ahmed
City College of New York
April 1st, 2021
Author’s Note
This paper was prepared for English 21007 taught by Susan Delamare.
Abstract———————————————————————————————— 3
Introduction——————————————————————————————- 4
Background——————————————————————————————- 5
Parts & Function————————————————————————————- 6
Charging System————————————————————————————- 8
Conclusion——————————————————————————————– 9
List of Figures—————————————————————————————- 10
References——————————————————————————————– 11
Abstract
The purpose of this technical description is to highlight the importance and functions of the Li-ion Polymer Battery 3.82V that is found in every single Apple device. In this paper, you will find the history of the product and how it works, as well as the (labeled) interior parts and what makes this battery different from the rest.
Introduction
Found in every single Apple device is the renowned Li-ion Polymer Battery 3.82V that the company is very well known for. This includes iPhone, iPad, Macbook, etc. making it more convenient for the users to use their devices anywhere and anytime. (Apple, n.d.). Traditional batteries (non Li-ion) tend to not last as long when compared with the advanced technology of Li-Ion batteries. Also for a heavy-duty, well lasting battery the Apple Li-ion battery is very light and thin, unlike typical denser batteries. (Apple, n.d.). This is what the battery looks like inside your iPhone (Fig. 1). Removing the battery requires technical skills and thus should be done by a trained technician. Depending on the device the life-span of the battery varies. On average, the battery lasts about or 300-500 charge cycles. (Apple, n.d.)
Fig. 1. Apple Li-ion Polymer Battery 3.82V. Reprinted from “Apple Executive Responsible for 5G Efforts Departs” by Tilley & Ma, (2020)
Background
Stanley Whittingham, an English scientist working for Exxonmobil during the oil crisis of the 1970s, began investigating the possibility of another battery – one that could re-energize all alone in a short measure of time and maybe lead to without fossil energy one day (Liu, 2019, para.4).
Rather than utilizing receptive lithium metal as an anode, Akira Yoshino of Meijo University in Nagoya, Japan, presented and implemented the idea of utilizing a carbonaceous material, “petroleum coke” (Liu, 2019, para. 7). This prompted a progressive finding in the mid 1980s: not exclusively was the new battery fundamentally more secure without lithium metal, the battery execution was more steady, along these lines delivering the main model of the battery (Liu, 2019, para. 7). In 2019, the Nobel Prize Organization presented Whittingham alongside two other renowned innovators, Akira Yoshina and John B. Goodenough with a Nobel Prize in Chemistry for their constant innovation and ideas created and added to the main invention of the battery (Liu, 2019, para. 2). Per the claim of the Nobel Prize Organization of 2019, this battery can be a possible part of the fossil fuel-free society solution as it has the ability of acquiring power through solar and wind energy (Liu, 2019, para. 3).
The evolution of the product is always increasing with new and advanced research despite the present success or level of the product. Specialists at UC San Diego, for instance, are attempting to improve the energy thickness of the lithium battery by adding silicon to the anode. They are additionally building up a battery that can work in temperatures as cold as – 76° F, contrasted with the current furthest reaches of – 4° F for li-ion batteries. (Liu, 2019, para.11-12)
Apple took advantage of this invention and implemented the use of the Li-Ion batteries on all of their devices and maximizing the efficiency of their products. They did not obviously invent the battery but Apple was one of the earliest adopters of this amazing technological advancement.
Parts & Function
There are a total of 6 parts (Cobalt Lithium Oxide (Cathode), Aluminum Collector, Electrolyte, Separator, Copper Collector and Graphite with Lithium (Anode)) that keeps this battery running and well functioned. They are very well organized and paired in a way that maintains the battery to run smoothly and avoid hazardous incidents. These 6 parts are compressed into a rectangular prism and wrapped around with battery wrap and additional circuitry is added on top to maintain the current flow. It also helps prevent overcharging and damages to the battery.(Branch Education, 2019) Below is a generic picture (Fig. 2) of what it looks like inside the battery with labeled parts.
Fig. 2, Components of the battery. Reprinted from “How do Lithium-ion Batteries Work?” by Branch Education, (2019)
Cobalt Lithium Oxide (Cathode)- Here is where Cobalt is stored, which first loses its electron to oxygen making the graphite positively charged. Since the graphite becomes positive, it now “wants” a negative electron (which is provided by the Anode). Now that the positive terminal is
receiving the negative electron it becomes negatively charged the negative terminal is becoming positively charged. (Branch Education, 2019)
Aluminum Collector- This is placed in the cathode to help collect electrons because the cobalt laye (just like the graphite layer) is not a very good “collector” of the electron flow. (Branch Education, 2019)
Electrolyte- This component of the battery allows the positively charged lithium from the negative terminal to travel to the positive terminal intercalating between the cobalt layer, without disrupting the flow of electrons. (Note that it moves from the graphite layer to the cobalt layer.) (Branch Education, 2019)
Separator – Even though the electrolyte helps the lithium ions travel to the cobalt layer, it does not work as a barrier because it is a liquid. Henceforth, a separator (semipermeable) is needed to help prevent the graphite layers from breaking the electrolyte station and coming to the positive terminal. (serious consequences will occur if so, i.e. explosion of the battery and other severe damages.) (Branch Education, 2019)
Copper Collector- This is placed in the anode to help collect electrons because the graphite layer is not a very good “collector” of the electron flow. (Branch Education, 2019)
Graphite with Lithium (Anode)- Lithium is stored between layers of graphite (intercalated). This is a negative terminal so it leaves negative charge which then travels to the positive terminal (cathode). when the electron leaves the anode the Lithium layered between graphites become positively charged. (Branch Education, 2020)
Charging System
The cellphone draws power from the battery to keep in touch with nearby cell towers to maintain functioning. This will release your battery marginally, and your battery will at that point re-energize, and afterward release once more—basically, squandering battery cycles. Keeping your device charged at 100% additionally damages the battery, and it is unsafe to Li-ion batteries (Swearingen, 2019, para.5). The battery utilizes quick charging to rapidly arrive at 80% of its ability, at that point changes to more slow stream charging. The measure of time it takes to arrive at that first 80% will differ based upon your settings and which gadget you’re charging (Apple, n.d). The product may restrict charging above 80% when the suggested battery temperatures are surpassed. This consolidated interaction not just allows you to get making the rounds sooner, yet it likewise expands the life expectancy of your battery. Charge your Apple li-ion battery at whatever point you need. There’s no compelling reason to allow it to release 100% before plugging it to charge. (Apple, n.d.) Below you can see Figure 3 explaining the charging stages.
Fig. 3, Stages of charging. Reprinted from “Batteries – Why Lithium-ion?” by Apple, (n.d.)
Conclusion
Apple has been around for a while since the invention of the Macintosh and has always been constantly innovative about their products. Rapid changes and advancement of the technology of their product have landed them where they are now. And one of the greatest adaptations of innovative technology outside of their company was to use the li-ion battery in all of their devices for extraordinary performance.
Whittngham’s drive for battery research has not stopped despite his great achievement in the field. Aware of his contribution to the research, Whittingham stated, “Lithium batteries have impacted the lives of almost everyone in the world.” (Liu, 2019, para. 13)
List of Figures
Figure. 1 Apple Li-ion Polymer Battery 3.82V—————————————— 4
Figure. 2 Components of the battery——————————————————-6
Figure. 3 Stages of charging—————————————————————- 8
References
Apple. (n.d.). Batteries – Why Lithium-ion? Retrieved from https://www.apple.com/batteries/why-lithium-ion/
Apple. (n.d.). Batteries – Why Lithium-ion? [Figure] Retrieved from https://www.apple.com/batteries/why-lithium-ion/
Branch Education. (2019, March 4). How do Lithium-ion Batteries Work? YouTube. [Figure] Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G5McJw4KkG8&ab_channel=BranchEducation
Branch Education. (2019, March 4). How do Lithium-ion Batteries Work? YouTube. [Descriptions of the parts] Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G5McJw4KkG8&ab_channel=BranchEducation
Liu, Z. (2019, October 11). The History of the Lithium-Ion Battery. Thermo Fisher Scientific. [Background, Conclusion] Retrieved from https://www.thermofisher.com/blog/microscopy/the-history-of-the-lithium-ion-battery/
Swearingen, J. (2019, June 10). How Apple Is Promising to Extend Your iPhone’s Battery Life. Consumer Reports. Retrieved from https://www.consumerreports.org/smartphones/how-to-extend-iphone-battery-life/
Tilley, A., & Ma, W. (2020, December 21). Apple Executive Responsible for 5G Efforts Departs. The Information. [Figure] Retrieved from https://www.theinformation.com/articles/apple-executive-responsible-for-5g-efforts-departs
