Power supply comprising a standard electronic component and

Abstract

A power supply, system, and method for adapting one or more batteries having a continuously decreasing monotonic discharge profile for a load having an input voltage requirement that cannot be fully satisfied by the voltage of the battery. The power supply may have a boost or buck converter circuit or a combination of boost and buck converter circuits. The power supply may use a sensor node to switch the converter or converters.

Description

[0001] Cross-references to related cases

[0002] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 63 / 408,157 filed on September 20, 2022, U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 63 / 408,160 filed on September 20, 2022, U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 63 / 408,163 filed on September 20, 2022, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 63 / 408,166 filed on September 20, 2022, and incorporates these provisional applications into this disclosure by reference as if fully set forth herein. Technical Field

[0003] The present disclosure relates to battery technology and, more particularly, to a system and method for adapting one or more batteries having a sloped discharge curve for use with a load having an input voltage requirement that cannot be fully satisfied by the voltage of the battery. Background Art

[0004] Some older battery chemistries, such as those used in alkaline cells, exhibit discharge voltage slope curves that are essentially flat (near zero) during the beginning of their discharge, or at least relatively stable during most of the discharge, and very steep (near negative infinity) at the end of the discharge. These are often referred to as "plateaued" discharge curves. However, some newer battery chemistries exhibit decreasing monotonic discharge voltage curves that slope downward throughout the discharge of the battery and do not exhibit the relative stability of a plateau curve. The linearity of such battery chemistries may vary over the entire state of charge of the battery, but for many of these decreasing monotonic battery chemistries, the steepest decline occurs near the fully charged state, with shallower slopes in the middle and ends of the curve.

[0005] These newer battery chemistries offer significantly higher capacities (greater than 1000mAhr / g) and lower internal resistance than older lithium-based batteries. However, they also present new challenges. Because newer chemistries can drop in voltage significantly as they discharge, their voltages can drop below useful levels prematurely while they still have a lot of remaining capacity. In addition, toward the high end of the discharge curve, batteries with these chemistries can exceed the optimal voltage for the required load. For example, low voltage electronic devices may require less than 5V input for operation, such as approximately 1.5V.

[0006] What is needed is a power supply, system, and method for adapting one or more batteries having a decreasing monotonic discharge curve for use with a load having an input voltage requirement that cannot be fully satisfied by the voltage of the battery. Summary of the invention

[0007] The disclosed invention includes, in one aspect thereof, a power supply for adapting a battery for use with a load having an input voltage requirement that cannot be fully satisfied by the voltage of the battery. The power supply includes a battery having a decreasing monotonic discharge curve, and at least one converter circuit, each of which is a boost converter circuit or a buck converter circuit. The battery may have an acidified metal oxide material in at least one of the anode and the cathode. The power supply may include a sensor node configured to switch at least one converter circuit based on a measurement of a state of charge of the battery. The measurement of the state of charge of the battery may be calculated from a measured voltage of the battery. The power supply may also include an external power supply configured to perform a partial charge recovery on the battery.

[0008] The disclosed invention, in another aspect thereof, includes a system for adapting a battery having a decreasing monotonic discharge curve for use with a load having an input voltage requirement that cannot be fully satisfied by the voltage of the battery. The system includes a battery having a decreasing monotonic discharge curve, and at least one converter circuit, each converter circuit being a boost converter circuit or a buck converter circuit. The battery may have an acidified metal oxide material in at least one of the anode and the cathode. The system may include a sensor node configured to switch at least one converter circuit based on a measurement of a state of charge of the battery. The measurement of the state of charge of the battery may be calculated from a measured voltage of the battery. The system may include an external power source configured to perform a partial charge recovery on the battery.

[0009] The disclosed invention, in another aspect thereof, comprises a method for adapting a battery for use with a load having an input voltage requirement that cannot be fully satisfied by the voltage of the battery. The method comprises the steps of providing a battery having a monotonic discharge curve that is continuously decreasing, and electrically connecting the battery to at least one converter circuit, each converter circuit being a boost converter circuit or a buck converter circuit. The battery may have an acidified metal oxide material in at least one of the anode and the cathode. The method may comprise the step of electrically connecting a sensor node to the at least one converter circuit, the sensor node being configured to switch the at least one converter circuit based on a measurement of a state of charge of the battery. The measurement of the state of charge of the battery may be calculated from a measured voltage of the battery. The method may comprise the step of electrically connecting an external power source configured to perform a partial charge recovery on the battery. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of a power supply configured to adapt a battery having a decreasing monotonic discharge curve to a load having an input voltage requirement greater than the voltage of the battery.

[0011] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 The discharge curve of the power supply is Figure 1 Comparison chart of the discharge curves of batteries.

[0012] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of a power supply configured to adapt a battery having a decreasing monotonic discharge curve to a load having an input voltage requirement lower than the voltage of the battery.

[0013] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of a power supply configured to adapt a battery having a decreasing monotonic discharge curve to a load having an input voltage requirement that may be greater or less than the voltage of the battery.

[0014] Figure 5 yes Figure 4 A comparison diagram of the discharge curve of a specific embodiment of a power source and the discharge curve of its battery.

[0015] Figure 6 is a block diagram of an embodiment of a power supply configured to adapt a battery having a decreasing monotonic discharge curve to a load having an input voltage requirement that may be greater or less than the voltage of the battery, the power supply including a charge controller and an external power source.

[0016] Figure 7 yes Figure 6 The discharge curves of the power supply with and without the charge controller and external power supply are compared Figure 6 Comparison of the discharge curves of a battery with and without a charge controller and external power supply.

[0017] Figure 8 is a table of experimentally determined properties of an example of an acidified metal oxide battery connected to a load having a decreasing monotonic discharge curve. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0018] Reference now Figure 1, shows a schematic diagram of an embodiment of a power supply 110 configured to adapt a battery 120 having a decreasing monotonic discharge curve to a load having an input voltage requirement greater than the voltage of the battery 120. An example of such a battery or battery cell having a decreasing monotonic discharge curve is a battery or battery cell having an electrode or other component containing an active material as disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 9,786,910 to Johnson et al., which is incorporated herein by reference. When discharged continuously at a constant load, these batteries or battery cells exhibit a nearly linear slope over a voltage range of about 3V (+ / -1.5V) to about 0V (+0.5V). More specifically, such a battery or battery cell can be used with embodiments of the present disclosure, which include a battery electrode including at least one solid metal oxide nanomaterial including an acidic but not superacidic surface, the surface having a pH<5 and a Hammett function H0>-12 when resuspended in water at 5wt% after drying. In other words, such a battery or battery cell may be used with embodiments of the present disclosure, which includes a battery electrode solid metal oxide nanomaterial in the form of M m O x / G, where M m For metal, O x is the total oxygen, M m O x is a metal oxide, G is at least one electron-withdrawing surface group, and " / " distinguishes the metal oxide from the electron-withdrawing surface group, and when resuspended in water at 5 wt% after drying, the battery electrode solid metal oxide nanomaterial has a pH <5 and a Hammett function H0>-12 on at least its surface. These materials can be purchased from Ten-Nine Tech under the TENIX brand.

[0019] In the present disclosure, the concept of using a battery with a load having an input voltage requirement that cannot be fully satisfied by the voltage of the battery is discussed. It should be understood that this situation includes situations where the battery voltage is too high or too low to meet the needs or demands of the load (for example, this may be a circuit or motor that requires a specific voltage to operate satisfactorily). The input voltage requirement may also be considered to be not fully met when the battery only meets the needs of the voltage requirement of the load during a portion of the discharge curve. For example, the voltage may initially be too high for the load, followed by a period where the voltage of the battery is satisfactory, followed by a period where the voltage is too low (but the battery or battery cell still contains sufficient energy to perform further electrical functions).

[0020] In some embodiments, the power supply 110 is connected to the battery 120 in a boost converter circuit. The boost converter circuit can be configured to provide an output voltage within a predetermined desired load voltage range when the predetermined desired load voltage range exceeds the voltage of the battery. The circuit can use a boost switching regulator 130, such as an MCP1640 boost converter chip. The boost switching regulator 130 can have an enable control input pin 132, which is electrically connected to an input voltage pin 134, an input side capacitor 150, and a boost inductor input pin 136 through a boost inductor 152. The boost switching regulator 130 can also have an output voltage supply pin 138 electrically connected to a voltage divider 154 and an output capacitor 156. The voltage divider 154 can be configured to provide feedback to the boost switching regulator 130 through a feedback voltage pin 140. If the voltage of the battery 120 is lower than the voltage required by the load output by the power supply 110, the power supply 110 can be configured to provide a relatively constant required voltage. For example, Figure 1 The power supply may be configured to provide a regulated output voltage of 3.3V from a battery 120 having a voltage range of 0.9V to 1.7V.

[0021] Reference now Figure 2 , shows a comparison of the discharge curve of the power source 110 and the discharge curve of the battery 120. In some embodiments, even when the battery 120 is charged to its maximum capacity, the power source 110 adapts the battery 120 to provide a voltage that is greater than the voltage of the battery 120. As the battery 120 discharges, its voltage may decrease along a downward sloping curve until its available power is exhausted. However, despite the change in the voltage of the battery 120, the power source 110 may continue to provide a relatively stable voltage output.

[0022] Still refer to Figure 1 and 2 In some embodiments, the power supply 110 may have a sensor node 160 having a processor or other controller for calculating the state of charge from the voltage of the battery 120. For the purposes of this disclosure, the sensor node includes a sensor and a silicon logic device. The silicon logic device may include a processor, a controller, a programmable logic device, or other device capable of reading data from the associated sensor and implementing the control or method described herein. In some embodiments, the sensor and the processor or other logic device may be located on the same circuit board or chip (die). Relays, resistors, connectors, ground connections, and the like that may need to interact with the rest of the circuitry are not shown, but can be easily placed correctly as needed by a person of ordinary skill in the art.

[0023] In some embodiments, the sensor node 160 can be connected in parallel with the boost switching regulator 130. The sensor node 160 can monitor the instantaneous voltage, rate of change, or output current of the power source 110 or the battery 120. The sensor node 160 can perform mathematical calculations or other functions to achieve accurate state of charge measurement. The sensor node 160 can be used to switch (i.e., connect or disconnect) the boost switching regulator 130 using a relay or solid-state switch 162. The sensor node 160 can allow the load to be powered directly from the battery 120, bypassing the boost switching regulator 130. The sensor node 160 can determine the engagement of the boost switching regulator 130 based on specific load needs and the effective operation of the power source 110.

[0024] Reference now Figure 3 , shows a schematic diagram of an embodiment of a power supply 310, which is configured to adapt a battery 320 having a continuously decreasing monotonic discharge curve to a load having an input voltage requirement less than the voltage of the battery. In some embodiments, the power supply 310 is connected to the battery 320 with a conventional buck converter circuit. The buck converter circuit can be configured to provide an output voltage within a predetermined required load voltage range when the voltage of the battery exceeds a predetermined required load voltage range. The circuit can use a buck switching regulator 330, such as a MIC2224 buck converter chip. The buck switching regulator 330 can have an enable control input pin 332 electrically connected to an input voltage pin 334, a supply voltage pin 336, and an input side capacitor 350. The buck switching regulator 330 can also have an output voltage supply pin 338, which is electrically connected to the switch output pin 340 through a switch output inductor 352. The output voltage supply pin 338 can be electrically connected to an output capacitor 356. The voltage provided at the output voltage supply pin 338 can be regulated by a reference voltage provided to the buck switching regulator 330. If the battery 320 has a voltage at the output voltage supply pin 338 that is higher than what is required by the load, the power supply 310 may be configured to provide a relatively constant required voltage.

[0025] Still refer to Figure 3In some embodiments, the power supply 310 may have a sensor node 360 ​​having a processor or other controller for calculating the state of charge from the voltage of the battery 320. In some embodiments, the sensor node 360 ​​may be connected in parallel with the buck switching regulator 330. The sensor node 360 ​​may monitor the instantaneous voltage, rate of change, or output current of the power supply 310 or the battery 320. The sensor node 360 ​​may perform mathematical calculations or other functions to achieve accurate state of charge measurements. The sensor node 360 ​​may be used to switch (i.e., connect or disconnect) the buck switching regulator 330 using a relay or solid-state switch 362. The processor or other controller may allow the load to be powered directly from the battery 320, bypassing the buck switching regulator 330. The sensor node 360 ​​may determine the engagement of the buck switching regulator 330 based on specific load needs and the efficient operation of the power supply 310.

[0026] In embodiments containing an acidified metal oxide material in the cathode or anode of battery 320, battery 320 may reach its maximum efficiency in the second half of battery discharge. Higher efficiency at the end of discharge may be desirable because current draw may increase as the voltage of battery 320 decreases. Losses may be minimized by maximizing the efficiency of power source 310 when the discharge current is near peak.

[0027] Reference now Figure 4 , shows a block diagram of an embodiment of a power supply 410 configured to adapt a battery 420 having a decreasing monotonic discharge curve to a load having an input voltage requirement that may be greater than or less than the voltage of the battery. In some embodiments, the power supply 410 is connected to the battery 420 in a boost-buck circuit. The power supply 410 may include a boost converter 430 and a buck converter 432 electrically connected to the battery 420. The power supply 410 may also include a relay switch 480 configured to keep the battery 420 disconnected from the boost converter 430 until the voltage of the battery 420 drops so that the buck converter 432 no longer maintains the output voltage of the power supply 410. The power supply may include a boost converter diode 490 and a buck converter diode 492 to protect the power supply 410 at its voltage output.

[0028] Reference now Figure 5, shows a comparison of the discharge curve of a particular embodiment of the power supply 410 with the discharge curve of its battery 420. In this embodiment, the power supply 410 is constructed using a MCP1640B microchip in the boost converter 430 and a MIC2224 microchip in the buck converter 432. The buck converter 432 is configured to provide a voltage output of 2.7V, while the boost converter 430 is configured to provide an output voltage of 2.0V. The battery 420 is discharged to a fixed resistive load (not shown) through the power supply 410. At the beginning of the discharge, the battery 420 voltage is above 3.0V, but the power supply 410 voltage is about 2.7V. After the voltage of the battery 410 drops to about 2.0V, the voltage of the power supply 410 continues at about 2.0V until the voltage of the battery 410 drops below a usable level.

[0029] Reference now Figure 6 , shows a block diagram of an embodiment of a power supply 610 configured to adapt a battery 620 having a decreasing monotonic discharge curve to a load having an input voltage requirement that may be greater or less than the voltage of the battery, the power supply incorporating a charge controller 600. In some embodiments, the power supply 610 is connected to the battery 620 in a boost-buck circuit, incorporating a boost converter circuit 630 and a buck converter circuit 632. The boost converter circuit 630 and the buck converter circuit 632 may be electrically connected to the battery 620. The power supply 610 may also include a relay switch 680 configured to keep the battery 620 disconnected from the boost converter 630 until the voltage of the battery 620 drops such that the buck converter circuit 632 no longer maintains the output voltage of the power supply 610. The power supply 610 may include a boost converter diode 690 and a buck converter diode 692 to protect the power supply 610 at its voltage output. If the battery 620 has an acidified metal oxide material in its cathode or anode, partial charge recovery can be used to extend the capacity of the power source 610 during the discharge of the battery cell. Partial charge recovery can be achieved by briefly and periodically charging the power source 610 using the external power source 602. The external power source 602 can be connected in parallel to the battery 620 and configured to control a trickle charge of the battery 620 from the external power source 602. In some embodiments, the power source and the trickle charge may not be sufficient to charge the battery 620 to full capacity.

[0030] In some embodiments, the power supply 610 can have a sensor node 660 that monitors the instantaneous voltage, rate of change, or output current of the power supply 610 or the battery 620. The sensor node 660 can perform mathematical calculations or other functions to achieve accurate state of charge measurement. The sensor node 660 can switch the boost converter 630 or the buck converter 632 using a relay switch 680 or another mechanism (e.g., a solid-state switch). The sensor node 660 can allow the load to be powered directly from the battery 620, bypassing the boost and buck converters 630, 632. The sensor node 660 can determine the engagement of the boost and buck converters 630, 632 based on specific load needs and the efficient operation of the power supply 610.

[0031] Reference now Figure 7 , shows a comparison of the state of charge curves of the discharge power source 610 with and without the charge controller 600 and the state of charge curves of the discharge battery 620 with and without the charge controller. Figure 7 In the specific embodiment shown, the external power source 602 is electrically connected in parallel with the battery 620 such that the external power source 602 returns a low net current to the battery for approximately 30 seconds at approximately 15 minute intervals. The state of charge is plotted versus time. The figure shows a continuously decreasing monotonic state of charge curve for the battery 620 without partial charge recovery, but with the charge controller 600 and the external power source 602, the state of charge curve shows periodic spikes representing the short-term effects of partial charge recovery. The state of charge curve for the power source 610 is nearly linear. With the charge controller 600 and the external power source 602 performing partial charge recovery, the total discharge of the power source 610 is increased by approximately 10%.

[0032] Reference now Figure 8 , shows a table of experimentally determined properties of an embodiment of a battery having an acidified metal oxide material in the cathode and having a decreasing monotonic discharge curve connected to a load. The state of charge can be determined using voltage measurements with a background current draw of 1 mA or less to provide accurate values. Similar tables can be generated for no load conditions or for other load levels. This table represents the expected load range for a particular device, but similar tables can be generated for any energy source with a decreasing monotonic discharge curve.

[0033] Although the power supply embodiments of the present disclosure may provide a relatively stable voltage output, the state of charge of the power supply may be calculated using a table that relates battery voltage to state of charge and measurements made on the battery. Furthermore, a table that relates the state of charge of a battery to its voltage (e.g., a plateaued discharge curve) may be more accurate than an estimate of the state of charge of a battery. Figure 8) allows for highly accurate state of charge estimation, since the voltage continues to drop during battery discharge allowing the state of charge estimation to be inserted without relying on impedance measurement. In return, the state of charge estimate can be used to control either a boost or buck converter, depending on the embodiment used, the needs of the load, and the efficiency required by the system.

[0034] In some embodiments, the state of charge of a battery or power source of the present disclosure may be estimated using the following formula, Where SoC(t) is the state of charge of the battery at a certain time t; V meas is the voltage of the battery measured at time t; V L The table indicates that the meas The highest voltage; V H The table indicates that it is higher than V meas The minimum voltage of SoC L Is the same as V L Related charging status; and SoC H Is the same as V H For example, for a Figure 8 If the measured battery voltage V meas is 1.1V, then V L is 1.01V, V H is 1.23V, and therefore the SoC L is 80%; while SoC H Calculating SoC(t) based on these numbers gives a value of 84.1%.

[0035] In some embodiments, the state of charge of a battery or power source of the present disclosure may be estimated using the following formula, Where SoC(t) is the state of charge of the battery at a certain time t; V meas is the voltage of the battery measured at time t; V min is the voltage at which the battery can no longer carry the load; and V0 is the voltage of the battery in a fully charged state. Figure 8 If the measured battery voltage V meas is 1.1V, then V min is 0.01 V and V0 is 1.92 V. Calculating SoC(t) based on these numbers yields a value of 57.1%.

[0036] The power supply disclosed herein is extremely versatile and allows for significant variations, such as using multiple cells or replacing batteries with multiple battery packs. The power supply can operate using a variety of electrical configurations, physical layouts, and specific electrical components. The output voltage of the power supply can be used with a variety of voltage shaping devices and techniques, or without them, as required by various loads and applications. In addition, there are many options for external power supplies and corresponding methods for generating charge recovery currents. The power supply can be used with a variety of loads or without a load. Finally, the charge state of the power supply or battery can be measured, calculated, displayed, and used in a variety of ways, and these measurements and calculations can be displayed in a variety of ways. Although specific embodiments of the present disclosure are specifically designed for low-power electronic applications, the systems and methods disclosed herein can be easily inferred for use in high-power devices, battery modules, and battery packs.

[0037] ****

[0038] It should be understood that the terms "comprises", "including", "consisting of" and grammatical variations thereof do not exclude the addition of one or more components, features, steps or integers or groups thereof, and these terms should be interpreted as the specified components, features, steps or integers.

[0039] If the specification or claims refer to "an additional" element, that does not preclude there being a plurality of that additional element.

[0040] It should be understood that when the claims or specification refer to "a" or "an" element, such reference should not be interpreted as meaning there is only one of the element.

[0041] It should be understood that when the specification indicates that a component, feature, structure, or characteristic “may,” “might,” “could,” or “might” be included, it is not required that the particular component, feature, structure, or characteristic must be included.

[0042] Where applicable, although state diagrams, flow charts, or both may be used to describe embodiments, the invention is not limited to these diagrams or corresponding descriptions. For example, the flow need not pass through each illustrated box or state, nor need it move in exactly the same order as illustrated and described.

[0043] The method of the present invention can be implemented by executing or completing selected steps or tasks manually, automatically, or a combination of both.

[0044] The term "method" may refer to ways, means, techniques, and procedures for completing a given task, including but not limited to ways, means, techniques, and procedures known to practitioners in the field to which the invention belongs or easily developed from known ways, means, techniques, and procedures.

[0045] The term "at least" followed by a number is used herein to indicate the beginning of a range that begins with that number (which may be a range with an upper limit or without an upper limit, depending on the variable being defined). For example, "at least 1" means 1 or greater than 1. The term "at most" followed by a number is used herein to indicate the end of a range that ends with that number (which may be a range with 1 or 0 as its lower limit, or a range with no lower limit, depending on the variable being defined). For example, "at most 4" means 4 or less than 4, and "at most 40%" means 40% or less than 40%.

[0046] When a range is given as "(first number) to (second number)" or "(first number)-(second number)" in this article, this means that the lower limit of the range is the first number and the upper limit is the second number. For example, 25 to 100 should be interpreted as a range with a lower limit of 25 and an upper limit of 100. In addition, it should be noted that when a range is given, unless the context indicates otherwise, every possible subrange or interval within the range is also explicitly represented. For example, if the specification indicates a range of 25 to 100, the range is also intended to include subranges such as 26-100, 27-100, etc., 25-99, 25-98, etc., and any other possible combination of lower and upper limits within the range, such as 33-47, 60-97, 41-45, 28-96, etc. Please note that the integer range values ​​used in this paragraph are for illustrative purposes only, and unless specifically excluded, decimals and fractional values ​​(e.g., 46.7–91.3) should also be understood as possible subrange endpoints.

[0047] It should be noted that when this document refers to a method comprising two or more defined steps, the defined steps may be performed in any order or simultaneously (unless the context excludes this possibility), and the method may also include one or more other steps that are performed before any defined step, between two defined steps, or after all defined steps (unless the context excludes this possibility).

[0048] It should be noted that, unless otherwise specified herein, approximate terms (e.g., "about," "substantially," "approximately," etc.) should be interpreted according to their ordinary and customary meanings used in the relevant art. In the absence of specific definitions in the present disclosure and ordinary and customary usage in the relevant art, these terms should be interpreted as plus or minus 10% of the reference value.

[0049] It should also be understood that the diagrams and drawings of the present disclosure may not show every component that may be present in a physical system. However, any such components are well known, allowing a person of ordinary skill in the art to make and use the system of the present disclosure without undue experimentation.

[0050] *****

[0051] The present invention is therefore well adapted to carry out these objects and attain the ends and advantages recited above as well as those inherent therein. While the apparatus of the present invention has been described and illustrated herein with reference to certain preferred embodiments thereof in the accompanying drawings, various changes and further modifications may be made thereto by those skilled in the art, in addition to those shown or suggested herein, without departing from the spirit of the inventive concept, the scope of which is determined by the following claims.

Claims

1. A power supply for adapting a battery for use with a load having an input voltage requirement that cannot be fully satisfied by the voltage of the battery, the power supply comprising: A battery having a decreasing monotonic discharge curve; as well as At least one converter circuit, each converter circuit being a boost converter circuit or a buck converter circuit.

2. The power supply according to claim 1, wherein: The battery has an acidified metal oxide material in at least one of the anode and the cathode. 3 . The power supply of claim 1 , further comprising a sensor node configured to switch the at least one converter circuit based on a measurement of a state of charge of the battery.

4. The power supply according to claim 3, wherein: The measure of the state of charge of the battery is calculated from a measured voltage of the battery.

5. The power supply of claim 1, further comprising an external power source configured to perform partial charge recovery on the battery.

6. A system for adapting a battery having a decreasing monotonic discharge curve for use with a load having an input voltage requirement that cannot be fully satisfied by the voltage of the battery, the system comprising: At least one converter circuit, each converter circuit being a boost converter circuit or a buck converter circuit.

7. The system of claim 6, further comprising the battery having a decreasing monotonic discharge curve, wherein: The battery has an acidified metal oxide material in at least one of the anode and the cathode.

8. The system of claim 7, further comprising a sensor node configured to switch the at least one converter circuit based on a measurement of a state of charge of the battery.

9. The system according to claim 8, wherein: The measure of the state of charge of the battery is calculated from a measured voltage of the battery.

10. The system of claim 7, further comprising an external power source configured to perform partial charge recovery on the battery.

11. A method for adapting a battery for use with a load having an input voltage requirement that cannot be fully satisfied by the voltage of the battery, the method comprising the steps of: providing a battery having a decreasing monotonic discharge curve; and The battery is electrically connected to at least one converter circuit, each converter circuit being a step-up converter circuit or a step-down converter circuit.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein: The battery has an acidified metal oxide material in at least one of the anode and the cathode.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising the step of electrically connecting a sensor node to the at least one converter circuit, the sensor node being configured to switch the at least one converter circuit based on a measurement of the state of charge of the battery.

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein: The measure of the state of charge of the battery is calculated from a measured voltage of the battery.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising the step of electrically connecting an external power source, the external power source being configured to perform a partial charge recovery on the battery.

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