Li-ion batteries: news, progress, history and background

Not much information right now. This certainly doesn't mark the first case in which the US Army has fiddled with hybrid vehicles, but the Maneuver Sustainment Vehicle (MSV) that the military is currently testing out most definitely ups the ante in other areas. The diesel-electric hybrid truck touts an insanely rugged frame designed to "sustain the concussion of a roadside bomb," and after it brushes off that weak attempt to render it immobile, the remote weapons system should inflict a fair amount of vengeance on the enemy. Moreover, the highly-spec'd machines also feature night vision capabilities, touchscreen controls, swarms of video cameras, and ballistic-grade glass to boot. Unfortunately, the limited fleet of MSVs are currently being recognized as "concept vehicles" to be used for demonstration purposes alone, but we're sure there's a number of defense contractors that could piece together a slightly less vicious version for your own garage if

DigiTimes daily IT news : "Toshiba lands more NAND flash orders from Apple but Samsung caught in 50nm bottleneck Bits + chips | Mar 26, 11:46 Besides a warm up in demand for NAND flash, Taiwan industry players attribute the recent price rise in the NAND flash spot market to extra orders that Toshiba landed from Apple and Samsung Electronics’ speculated bottleneck issues in its transition to 50nm production. Sources at Taiwan-based memory module makers said that they have received notification from both Samsung and Hynix Semiconductor about a price rise in April. Read more "

Here some photos taken at that huge exhibition Taipei Cycle Show - 2007

PARIS, March 15 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Saft, [Euronext Paris: FR0010208165, SAFT] leader in the design, development and manufacture of high-end batteries for industry and defence, announces its certified results for the full year ended 31 December 2006. Results highlights - Full year 2006 sales of EUR 560.2m: - Above original guidance of EUR 540m - EUR 550m and revised guidance of EUR 550m + 1% - Good growth in core businesses resulted in net sales fall of only EUR 7.1m (-1.3%) compared with full year 2005 (at constant perimeter and constant exchange rates), despite c. EUR 35m fall in sales to the US Army. - Achieved profitability guidance, despite headwind from nickel costs (which more than doubled in 2006) and a very poor performance from RBS. After adjusting for non-recurring items in both 2005 and 2006: Full story

15 March 2007 Japanese scientists have made a paper-like, polymer-based rechargeable battery. The battery, designed by Hiroyuki Nishide, Hiroaki Konishi and Takeo Suga at Waseda University, has an electrode made from a redox-active organic polymer film about 200 nanometres thick. The polymer has nitroxide radical groups which act as charge carriers. The battery has a high charge/discharge capacity because of its high radical density (two radicals for each repeat unit). According to Nishide, this is just one of many advantages the 'organic radical' battery has over other organic-based materials which are limited by the amount of doping. 'The power rate performance is strikingly high - it only takes one minute to fully charge the battery,' said Nishide, 'and it has a long cycle life, often exceeding 1000 cycles.' Full story

Components in Electronics - CIE : "Implantable Li-ion rechargeable battery EaglePicher Medical Power claims it’s introduced the industry’s first modular rechargeable lithium-ion implantable battery that promises to spare developers in neurostimulation and other implantable markets the timeconsuming process of developing a custom battery for each new device. These modular Li-ion batteries will be available in a range of capacities from 50 to 500mAH, and the company plans to add other chemistries depending on customer demand. EaglePicher Medical Power - www.eaglepicher.com"

The Bolloré Group is a French company with revenues of nearly 6 billion euros in 2006. This leading battery manufacturer has just acquired the assets of Avestor, a Quebec firm previously operated by Hydro-Quebec and Anadarko. As a result, some fifty people will now be working on the development of lithium-metal-polymer (LMP) batteries to be used in electric cars. This is great news for companies involved in the development of electric car technologies and high-performance batteries for this type of vehicle. In addition to strengthening the significant power of the Bolloré Group in this field of expertise, the recent purchase of Avestor will give a new boost to this industry and reinforce Quebec's position in the development of advanced terrestrial transportation. Besides the facilities near Quimper, France, the Bolloré Group will benefit from a new 12,000 square meter plant in Boucherville, which will manufacture zero-maintenance, high-performance batteries. Even though both firms

With new Li ion polymer battery new MacBook catches fire 3am last night. I woke up to my girlfriend screaming (yelling "Matty!") and the dog barking. She fell asleep on the couch in the back lounge of our house. I jumped out of bed and raced out thinking that maybe somebody had come through the back door or something. As I was running I saw a fire. At first I thought that the lamp had fallen and set fire to the curtain. As I got closer I realised it was my mac book .... burning! I picked it up and blew on it and swung it around to put the flames out. The book shelf it was sitting on was burnt and there were a couple of magazines that were on fire too. I quickly put those out and calmed down. Read full story

Another ad for A123 and their battery on The New York Times (previous week ago - Forbes, see below): A123Systems, a start-up in Watertown, Mass., says it has created a powerful, safe, long-lived battery. If the cell fulfills the ambitions of its maker, that softer sound will be the future of automobiles. A123Systems’ ambition is to apply a new technology, born from original science, to solve a difficult problem. The company’s chairman is Gururaj Deshpande, the entrepreneur who also is a co-founder and chairman of Sycamore Networks. As he explained: “This company can play a role in reducing our dependence on oil and in cleaning up the environment. Any company that gets to contribute to those efforts in whatever measure would have done good in the world.” Full story

LEVconference.org : "Light Electric Vehicle Conference 2007 Hsinchu Taiwan, March 20-23, 2007" Highlights 20 March 2007: EnergyBus The industry meets to to learn about and discuss the further developlment of the EnergyBus. Experts will explain the functions and advantages of this stan- dardized communication protocol and its plug system. In one sentence: It will revolutionize the LEV world. 21 March 2007: Battery Safety Leading manufacturers will provide an insight into the latest battery developments. Learn all about battery shipment and testing according to UN regulations and the liability of LEV manufacturers and distributors – a key issue after prominent battery fires in the past. 22 March 2007: Technology The most innovative motor, transmission sensor, power electronics, and chip manufacturers will present their achievements and future strategies. ExtraEnergy will present the latest results of the 2006/07 pedelec and e-bike tests. 23 March 2007: Markets and Legislation N

Taipei Int'l Cycle Show 2007 / 2007/03/24 ~ 2007/03/27 News and information about this show will be available soon.

1. Saab planning hybrid based on GM system (Luxury division also shows ethanol-powered concept. Executive declines to set target date for hybrid) GENEVA (Reuters) -- Saab Auto has a hybrid vehicle in development based on technology being developed by parent company General Motors Corp, a senior executive said on Tuesday. Saab will also cut development costs by sharing more parts with other GM (Charts) vehicles, integrating the Swedish brand more closely in GM's operations, Saab Managing Director Jan Ake Jonsson said on the sidelines of the Geneva auto show. Full story 2. Hybrid Car Sales, February 2007 Toyota and Nissan made the big splash this month in their hybrid car sales. Toyota sold 187,330 vehicles, an increase of 12.2 percent over February 2006. Of those, 10.1% were hybrids. Meanwhile, Nissan debuted the Nissan Altima Hybrid. Full story 3. Lotus Hybrid Proton Gen.2 Lotus is looking to break into the hybrid marketplace with a prototype to be unveiled at the Geneva Internatio

Batteries can pose fire risk to planes - USATODAY.com : "Batteries can pose fire risk to planes" By Peter Eisler and Alan Levin, USA TODAY WASHINGTON — A rash of fires on planes has spurred the government to plan new restrictions on how airline passengers may carry lithium batteries used to power laptop computers and cellphones. The Department of Transportation, which already bars bulk shipments of some lithium batteries on passenger planes, expects to propose more restrictions later this year, said Bob Richard of the DOT's Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration. While the agency has no immediate plans to ban the batteries from carry-on luggage, he said, the risks of batteries in airplane cabins are being studied. Restrictions on carrying the batteries in checked items are possible, Richard said. "We recognize that the American public wants to be able to carry their batteries and electronic equipment aboard aircraft, but we have to weigh the safety is

Nano-Batteries That Keep On Going - Forbes.com : "Nano-Batteries That Keep On Going Josh Wolfe, Forbes/Wolfe Nanotech Report 03.06.08, 4:30 PM ET" An interesting article was published today on Forbes about continue developing affords on battery technology implementing nano-particles as active material. The article focused on potential market and main (so far) player A123 leaving behind technical problems and/or advantage. Most interesting here that "in December, the U.S. Advanced Battery Consortium, a group that includes DaimlerChrysler (nyse: DCX - news - people ), Ford Motor (nyse: F - news - people ) and General Motors (nyse: GM - news - people ), awarded A123 Systems a 36-month, $15 million contract. The contract will fund development of a lower-cost lithium-ion phosphate battery technology with enhanced power, lifetime and durability for hybrid-electric vehicle applications". "Also, earlier this month, GM awarded contracts for undisclosed sums

Advanced Battery Technologies, Inc. Announcement of New Independent Director — Advanced Battery Technologies, Inc. (OTCBB: ABAT), a developer and manufacturer of rechargeable Polymer-Lithium-Ion('PLI') batteries, announced today that it has appointed John J. McFaddento their Board of Directors as an outside Director and Chairman of theAudit Committee of the Board. This appointment will be subject toshareholders election at the next scheduled shareholders meeting. Mr.McFadden brings to the Board a wide range of financial skills. Mr.McFadden joined The First Boston Corporation in 1968 and retired from thatCorporation in 1996. While at First Boston, Mr. McFadden held severalsenior positions, including Treasurer. Upon retirement from First Boston,Mr. McFadden served as Vice Chairman of Cambridge Holdings, LLC, a privateinvestment firm. Currently, Mr. McFadden is a consultant to financialinstitutions and energy-related companies, including BB&T and OptimiraEnergy. Article URL: h

PARIS, March 6 (Reuters) - Financier Vincent Bollore, who is developing an electric car with power giant EDF (EDF.PA: Quote, Profile , Research), has bought the assets of Canadian manufacturer Avestor to beef up his group's battery production business. Financial terms were not disclosed. The acquisition includes intellectual property, buildings, research and development material and a 130,000 square feet production site in Boucherville near Montreal, a Bollore Group statement said. Around 50 people previously employed by Avestor will continue to develop Lithium-Metal-Polymer (LMP) battery technology under the responsibility of BatScap, the subsidiary owned 95 percent by Bollore and 5 percent by EDF. BatScap batteries already equip Bollore's BlueCar, which will be exhibited at the Geneva Motor show this week. The Bollore group, which already has a battery factory near Guimper in Brittany, plans to build a second plant also in Brittany with production capacity of 10,000 batteries

By Michael Kanellos Staff Writer, CNET News.com Published: December 7, 2006, 9:08 AM PST A battery technology that was touted nine years ago for notebooks may finally get its day in the sun. Notebook makers will "likely" soon choose to incorporate lithium polymer batteries over the current commonly used type, lithium ion batteries, Sony Electronics President Stan Glasgow said during a meeting with reporters Wednesday. Stan Glasgow Lithium polymer batteries use lithium as an active ingredient. Lithium is a volatile material, but the lithium in these batteries isn't packed into cells as it is in lithium ion batteries. Instead, it is contained in a polymer gel. These gel batteries can't provide the s

Edmunds gets a test drive in Ford's multi-million dollar concept About a month ago, DailyTech first brought you a glimpse at Ford's Edge HySeries crossover utility vehicle (CUV). In its current form, the concept features a hydrogen fuel cell, a 336-volt lithium-ion battery pack and electric motors for propulsion. Ford can also adapt the chassis to accommodate gasoline-electric or diesel-electric hybrid powertrains. Ford's $2 million USD plug-in hybrid fuel cell vehicle From top to bottom: fuel cell, hydrogen tank and li-ion battery pack The editors at Edmunds were recently given a chance to drive the $2 million USD Ford Edge HySeries concept vehicle . The 5,400 pound CUV is powered solely by electricity, so power delivery is turbine smooth and quiet. Edmunds likened its forward progress to that of a "horizontal elevator." And by using a hydrogen fuel cell, the Edge HySeries has no harmful emissions and only releases water vapor into the environment. The Edge

HARBIN, CHINA -- (MARKET WIRE) -- March 01, 2007 -- Advanced Battery Technologies, Inc. (OTCBB: ABAT), a developer and manufacturer of rechargeable Polymer-Lithium-Ion ("PLI") batteries, announced today that it has signed a sales contract with Beijing Guoqiang Global Technology Development Co., Ltd. ("BGTDC") to supply a total of 3,000 sets of PLI battery cell packs for use in 3,000 electric garbage trucks specially designed for the 2008 Olympics Games. This contract when fully executed is worth RMB 81,000,000 or about $10,000,000. The first batch of 200 sets of PLI battery cell packs shall be delivered no later than the 20th workday in May 2007.The balance of the order shall be delivered on 15 day increments upon notice by the buyer, which will continue until the completion of this contract or within one year from February 25, 2007. According to BGTDC, these all-electric sanitation trucks will be showcased for the 2008 Olympics Games by the Beijing Olympics Committ

Cobasys and A123Systems partner to develop Li-Ion HEV batteries Cobasys and A123Systems have signed a memorandum of understanding regarding a partnership to develop, manufacture, sell, and service lithium-ion (Li-Ion) energy storage systems for hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) applications. The agreement will include joint development, marketing and supply of A123Systems nanophosphate lithium batteries and Cobasys systems integration and manufacturing of battery systems for HEV markets. Cobasys will act as the tier one supplier, providing packaging, thermal management, wiring, electronics, and control algorithms. It will also help develop requirements and specifications to meet the integration needs of customers and partners and will provide validation testing of fully integrated lithium battery systems. A123Systems will manufacture and supply its automotive-class nanophosphate lithium-ion cells and technology. Cobasys, a joint ventu

Toyota Developing Plug-In Hybrid, Researching Market : "Toyota Developing Plug-In Hybrid, Researching Market March 2, 2007 By Reuters DETROIT—Toyota Motor Corp. is working on developing a plug-in hybrid vehicle and is open to joining with other automakers in battery development, the president of its North American operations said on Friday." Toyota , which leads the market in hybdrid sales, has not detailed plans to build a plug-in, although some environmental groups have modified its top-selling Prius hybrid so that it can be recharged with an electrical outlet. "We are doing consumer research right now as well as product development," Toyota North America President Jim Press told Reuters in an interview, when asked about plug-in hybrid development. Press added the biggest challenge would be developing the next-generation battery, which Toyota is now working on internally. "We would be quite open to any kind of sharing," Press said of a possible allia

Lenovo recalls extended-life laptop batteries By Candace Lombardi http://news.com.com/Lenovo+recalls+extended-life+laptop+batteries/2100-1044_3-6163461.html Lenovo on Thursday voluntarily recalled select Sanyo Electric lithium ion extended-life batteries used in its ThinkPad notebook computers. "Consumers should stop using the recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed," the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) said in its recall announcement . Lenovo is offering a free replacement battery. The recall affects 9-cell batteries with the part number FRU P/N 92P1131. They were sold between November 2005 and February 2007 as an accessory for about $180. The recalled devices were used in ThinkPad notebook models: R60, R60e, T60, T60p, Z60m, Z61e, Z61m and Z61p. About 100,000 of the recalled Sanyo Electric battery packs were sold in the U.S., with 105,000 more sold worldwide. The defect is not with the internal battery cell, according to the CPSC statement.

Lenovo recalls 205,000 laptop batteries on Yahoo! News : "Lenovo recalls 205,000 laptop batteries " by STEVE HARTSOE, Associated Press Writer Fri Mar 2, 5:01 AM ET Chinese PC maker Lenovo Inc. recalled about 205,000 laptop computer batteries made by Japan's Sanyo Electric Co., warning that they could overheat and cause a fire. The worldwide battery recall announced Thursday was the second for the company in the past six months and comes as Lenovo, the world's No. 3 computer maker, tries to gain ground on its better-known competitors. The latest recall includes about 100,000 batteries in the United States and another 105,000 worldwide, Lenovo spokesman Bob Page said. The recall follows four reports of overheating. In one case, a user suffered minor eye irritation, the company said. Lenovo, which has its world headquarters in North Carolina's Research Triangle Park, said consumers should stop using the recalled products immediately. It said the batteries can overhea

What is a hybrid car? ~ Hybrid Car Review : "What is a Hybrid Car? A hybrid car, by definition, is any car with multiple power sources. In most cases, there are only two power sources, but there can be more. A hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) comes about when an internal combustion engine (ICE) is mated with an electric power source (generator/motor) to move the car along. But there are other possibilities, including a fuel cell coupled with an electric motor, or a fuel cell mated to a gas engine, or you name it. For the most part, though, HEVs have become synonymous with the term hybrid. Hybrid Car Features Hybrid cars tend to come with several things. Regenerative braking helps restore power to the large battery packs necessary for the electric motor (more on that later). Some people claim that the regenerative braking makes the braking feel different. Also, HEVs tend to shut down the gas engine when the car is stopped. Which means you won't hear the engine start when you turn