Lecture Notes: Inside a Disposable Vape

Introduction

• Discovery of a disposable vape in leaf litter.
• Curious about its internal components.

Disassembly Overview

• End Caps:
  • Removal reveals a goopy substance.
  • Examination initiated at both ends.
• Components Found:
  • Battery (Lithium-Ion, initially at 3 volts).
  • Heater.
  • Circuitry with what resembles a microphone and an LED.

Battery Insights

• LED indicates low battery when flashing.
• Battery fully charged to 3.7 volts for testing.
• Upon airflow (blowing), the vaporizer heats up.
• Disposal instructions indicate recycling, not regular waste.
• Potential fire hazard if improperly recycled due to lithium battery.

Internal Examination

• Battery Disconnection:
  • Unfolds to reveal cylindrical cell in foil pouch.
  • Discharge process for safety.
• Exposure of Components:
  • Liquid inside believed to be electrolyte.
  • Spiral wound cell configuration.

Control Module Analysis

• Found another vape during a walk, analyzed similarly.
• Components:
  • Lithium cell.
  • Circuit resembling a microphone.
  • Heater with coil around wick.
• Circuit Board Details:
  • Three connections (positive, negative, heater).
  • LED for status indication.
  • PCB with potential microphone parts.

Detailed Component Breakdown

• Microphone-like Structure:
  • Metal plate with vent holes.
  • Separator ring, conductive film, and insulating ring.
  • Small PCB with chip and mystery component, possibly a diode or capacitor.

Functional Explanation

• Operation during Use:
  • Pressure drop when vaping triggers diaphragm flex.
  • Contacts the chip to activate the heater and LED if battery is charged.
  • LED flashes if battery is low, signaling end-of-life for the vape.

Conclusion

• Alternative Use:
  • Source of small rechargeable lithium cells.
• Recommendation:
  • Proper recycling emphasized to prevent environmental hazards.

Additional Resources

• Reference to a detailed teardown by another researcher, providing further chip analysis. Link provided in video description.