What’s battery reliability?
Batteries have become an essential part of our everyday lives. We use them to power the devices we use daily: our phones, computers, tablets, and even the electric cars that are becoming increasingly popular. Lithium-ion batteries are the most commonly used battery for our phones because they charge fast, are low maintenance, and have a high power density in a lightweight package. However, battery performance — which is defined by the ability of a battery to deliver specific power and energy levels — is not constant. A battery’s performance is affected by many factors, including mechanical vibration, temperature, and aging.
By performing various reliability tests that measure the performance and durability of a battery under various mechanical and environmental stresses (such as drop testing or high temperature), it is possible to determine how long a battery is expected to last in real-life conditions. A reliability model can be applied to the data obtained from testing to determine the probability of a battery failure occurring after a given amount of time under specified conditions. This allows engineers to easily compare different battery designs, understand if any design changes need to be made, and determine what the best overall design is. The reliability testing results will also establish appropriate expectations for the customer through performance claims or specifications when releasing a product. So whenever you go to recharge your phone, thank the battery reliability engineers who made it possible for it to last that long!
