Lithium Ion Batteries – Supercharging The Tool Industry?

Lithium Ion (Li-Ion) battery technology is one of the fastest growing trends in the tool community, and certainly for good reason. Lithium Ion batteries have the best energy to weight ratio, meaning they pack the most power with the smallest amount of bulk. They also experience no memory effect or, lazy battery effect. This occurs when a battery can no longer accept a maximum charge for having been repeatedly recharged without being fully used (a common symptom of Nickel Cadmium (NiCad) batteries). Li-Ion batteries, conversely, have absolutely no memory and can continually accept a maximum charge. Additionally, they have a very slow rate of charge loss while the battery is disengaged.

What is the difference between Lithium and Lithium Ion Batteries?

The difference is in the chemistry; a Lithium battery is a disposable power source composed of lithium metal compounds – the key word, here, being disposable; Lithium batteries cannot be recharged. Lithium Ion batteries, on the other hand, are intercalated, meaning the lithium ion inside the battery moves between two internal electrodes. This movement, or reversibility of the lithium ion accounts for the battery’s rechargeability.

What are the benefits of Lithium Ion Technology?

– Hold a lot of power and are surprisingly light-weight, especially with consideration to other rechargeable batteries.

– Combine single cell technology with a greater energy reservoir than Nickel Metal Hydride and Nickel Cadmium batteries. They store more power for their size than both NiCad and NiMH.

– Hold their charge for significantly longer than other comparable batteries, and provide steady power until that charge is completely gone. Other batteries gradually and consistently loose power as you work. Li-Ion batteries stay strong until the last push.

Are there disadvantages to using Lithium Ion Batteries?

The disadvantages with using Li-Ion technology are generally few and far between, and technological advancements are making them even less so. Manufacturers have recently improved the Lithium Ion recipe to reveal a more reliable battery. Still, every giant has its weaknesses:

– Li-Ion batteries are sensitive to intense hot and cold temperatures. In extreme temperature conditions, the battery will degrade more quickly.

– Li-Ion batteries degrade regardless frequency of use.

– The Li-Ion battery’s built-in computer chip tells the battery to refuse a charge once the batteries power falls below a certain point. If this occurs, the battery is beyond repair.

Although these defects are more applicable to the older Lithium Ion batteries, the possibility of seeing these problems is still worth noting. Fortunately, these said defects are fairly rare, and easily avoided.

– Store Li-Ion batteries (and other batteries as well) in a cool, dry place.

– Use your Li-Ion batteries often.

– Be certain Li-Ion batteries have a full charge before storing them, and pull them out every so often to use and recharge. Watch the batteries power level to be sure it doesn’t fall below the charge limit.

General Li-Ion Battery Tips:

– On occasion Lithium Ion batteries require more than one charge (sometimes 2 to even 10) to accept a full charge. The first time you charge your battery, leave it to charge overnight. This ensures you’ll have maximum power for your first use.

– To maintain proper balance in your battery, leave it charge overnight about once per week for the life of the battery.

– When buying a new Lithium Ion battery, make certain you are buying a fresh one. There’s a chance a battery has been degrading on the shelfs of manufacturer’s and distributors so be certain you are buying a new one. Most manufacturers provide a date code on the battery or packaging. Check dates before you purchase, and be confident you are getting a fresh, high-performance battery.

The Benefits of Microservices

Microservices are a unique approach to how software is developed. They allow for easier use of the software, more effective maintenance, and ease of use for individual companies. It is a great business software to consider using for greater success and ease of use.

What Are Microservices?

You may be wondering,what are microservices? They are a fairly new, and highly useful technique for building computer software. They are an important part of software development. First, in order to understand what microservices are, you need to better understand what exactly software development is. Software development is the process of creating, testing, fixing, and upgrading any type of program used by a computer.

Software programs are used in all aspects of our lives. They run programs that we use on a daily basis, from email, to word processing and creation of data tables, to the more intricate processes of our computer operating systems. These programs run our laptops and our cell phones.

Now, on to what a microservice is. This is a very small, very specific part of a software program. A microservice performs one specific task or function within the larger system. It is a basic building block that, when combined with many others, makes up the larger, more complex program.

Why Are They Useful?

Microservices are useful, and a popular way of using computer software, because they can be built upon to form more complex programs. A business can pick and choose which ones they need and layer them together to create the best possible program for themselves and the functions that they need their business to perform. You can more easily expand your business’s operations and develop them as your business grows. The separate parts of the computer software make it easier to modify the areas that are no longer working and branch out into new functions. Since you don’t have to change the base of the software, you can develop new areas of your business without starting from scratch.

Because each microservice performs an isolated function, it is much easier to identify any problems that arise within the software. The nature of the problem will point to the microservice that needs attention. If there is a problem that happens within one component of the program, the problem stays fixed in one area and allows the rest of the system to remain functioning. You can direct tasks to the parts of the software that are still functioning properly. Only the part that needs to be fixed will require attention, but other aspects of the business can continue to run. The details of the program can be worked upon and fixed without causing full system collapse and delay in vital and time sensitive operations.

The isolation of each unit also allows for better improvements within the software. You can more easily identify any aspect of the program that is lagging behind or not performing as well as the rest. You can then take measures to rebuild or fix this component. It can even be removed and updated. Being able to improve upon the smaller parts of the computer software will help to build a better program as a whole. This leads to more efficient and effective business.

By using a software program that utilizes microservices, you are also ensuring an additional layer of safety for your business by ensuring that the entire operation will not fail or go offline by a single component error.

Microservices allow for a much more flexible business operation. You can tailor services and systems to your unique needs and those of potential clients. They improve the speed and accuracy of all business functions.

Microsystems make managing business software much easier. They simplify the process and are a good technique to use and create a streamlined environment that is easier to maintain. This will help you build a business with quicker recovery and higher profits.

How do first time investors make a mutual fund comparison?

As an investor, you have many mutual fund options to choose from. There are a number of Mutual Funds available in the markets. However, you need to take a closer look to make a mutual fund comparison.

Making a mutual fund comparison in India among so many mutual funds and selecting the one which suits your needs can be a tough task. However, below checkpoints can be helpful when it comes to selecting a fund.

Check if the fund you are selecting matches your goals. Outline your investment goals with the assistance of a financial advisor. Then it would be easier to make a mutual fund comparison with a mutual fund comparison tool to find the best-suited fund type.
Assess how the respective asset class works. This could be related to the type of assets in the fund. In equity funds, it is the rise in the market value of the concerned shares that give you returns whereas in debt funds it is a fall in interest rates that increase the NAV and the future value of your investment.
Check how liquid is this investment. If you are in need of money on an emergency basis, would you be able to sell immediately?
Some investments have lock-in periods during which it cannot be sold, for example, ELSS investments, some have exit loads. Perform a mutual fund comparison for all these parameters before going for the type of fund.

Look how long has the AMC been in business. Is their management experienced? Have they made money for investors before?
Use a mutual fund comparison calculator to check how has this fund performed over the long run? Where can you get an independent evaluation of this fund? You can also refer to factsheets of mutual fund schemes that would show you their past performance. Check performance over long periods like 5 years or so that will give you an idea of how the fund has performed in different market cycles.
Check the total fees structure of the scheme . Investments bought through distributors charge a transaction fee and commission. Mutual funds charge an expense ratio, for managing investments. You can invest in Direct Plan to of mutual funds wherein no commission and transactions charges is to be paid to save cost.
Yes, stay informed of these vital details too before you decide to select a mutual fund!