As the efficiency of the boost converter is required to be >85% under full load condition, a synchronous boost converter is preferred in power banks. Fig. 5 shows a synchronous boost topology.

Well there can be some more special applications where a µC-based controlling of a Buck/Boost converter can actually be useful: 1. Include battery charging logic (used e.g. in the Imax B6 charger) ...

Key specifications include wide voltage and current ranges: 0.7- to 5.5-V input-voltage range; 1.8-V minimum input voltage for startup; Programmable boost output voltages (2.7- to 5.4-V setting range) ...