Development of Novel Pulse Charger for Next-Generation Batteries

Nowadays, battery-powered direct current-characterized loads are employed in domestic, commercial, and industrial applications. However, the current commercial or emerging new battery technologies are suffering from the problem of slow charging and early battery life degradation. This paper proposes a fast pulse charging method, which also prevents battery degradation. The research mainly focuses on the currently emerging aluminum batteries being charged using a pulse technique from the photovoltaic source. The pulse charge circuit is analyzed, simulated, designed, and tested with a rechargeable electrochemical cell as a load. The simulations are performed using MATLAB/Simulink software. The laboratory model is implemented with the Arduino Mega2560 board-based pulse width modulation technique. The proposed charger circuit is tested with two different charging methods using a pulse technique through continuous conduction mode used to test the Al battery. The results showed a reduction in total charging time, and the battery's overall performance was immensely improved. The charge and discharge studies of the battery have been carried out using a biologic electrochemical station.