DOE are Working to Develop Li-air Batteries
Researchers at the U.S Department of Energy's Argonne National Laboratory are working to develop commercially viable Li-air batteries,which use a catalytic air cathode that supplies oxygen,an electrolyte and a lithium anode.The technology has the potential to store almost as much energy as a tank of gasoline,and will have a capacity for energy storage that is five to 10 times greater than that of Li-ion batteries.
The DOE has awarded the lab $8.8 million to build out and outfit three battery research facilities that will be used for materials production scale-up,battery prototyping,and post-test analysis.
"The obstacles to Li-air batteries becoming a viable technology are formidable and will require innovations in materials science,chemistry and engineering," said Argonne Director Eric Isaacs."We have a history of taking on scientific challenges and overcoming them.Argonne is committed to developing Li-air battery technologies. In fact, we’ve made it a ‘grand research challenge’ at the laboratory."
China BAK Battery Denied the Rumor
It is reported that China BAK Battery (CBAK) on Wednesday denied rumors that it will supply batteries for the new-to-market Google (GOOG) smartphone.
The news caused China BAK Battery shares to fall 22% to $2.83,after they jumped 63% on Tuesday when the rumor first surfaced.
On Tuesday, Roth Capital Markets analyst Mark Tobin said the Chinese company might be chosen to provide the battery for a new phone, but said he had no information to back up the claim.Google has already partnered with Motorola (MOT) and Samsung Electronics (SSNHY) for the creation of its new phone.
The Investor Relations Group has been retained by mPhase Technologies,Inc.
mPhase Technologies, Inc. ,the global leader in the development of Power On Command(TM) reserve battery technology,has retained the Investor Relations Group,a thirteen-year-old, award-winning corporate communications firm based in New York City,to serve as its national investor relations agency.
The IRG team will use proprietary competitive analysis strategies and extensive databases to target the broad scope of the investment community, including portfolio managers and analysts.IRG's program will include pre-qualified,one-on-one introductions,e-mail to investment professionals that have traditional outreach, opted-in for communication,and the newest online marketing methods.
"It is an exciting time for mPhase Technologies,"said Ronald Durando, Chief Executive Officer of mPhase Technologies, Inc."We have spent the past several years reinventing the battery utilizing breakthroughs in nanotechnology, microfluidics and microelectromechanical systems (MEMS).We believe there is a great market for our products within the defense community as well as in the consumer electronics industry, based on our Power On Command reserve battery technology, which give our batteries a shelf life of more than 20 years -- a major improvement over the capabilities of existing products." In addition, Mr. Durando continued: "As we continue to reach our milestones, we look forward to working with IRG to communicate our company strategy, goals and progress with the investment community, our shareholders, the media, content providers and their customers, and the public-at-large."
Federal Regulations Made Battery Recycling Changed
Federal regulations are forcing some changes to be made to OCRRA’s battery collection program.They will force the agency to separate alkaline, rechargeable,and button batteries.
Previously, anyone who wanted to recycle their old batteries could just throw them in the single-bin provided.However,the new bins, which will be phased in this week,will have three bins with separate slots for alkaline,rechargeable and button batteries,including hearing aid and watch batteries.
Instructions will be at each site explaining what to do in more detail.
Toyota will unveil a new dedicated hybrid concept
At the 2010 Detroit Auto Show next month,Toyota will unveil a new dedicated hybrid concept (no name confirmed yet).According to sources familiar with the project, Toyota plans to expand its hybrid lineup with a new subcompact hybrid-only model that will be based on the concept seen in Detroit.
The model,smaller and more affordable than the Prius,is scheduled to go into production in Japan in late 2011 and will hit U.S. shores in early 2012.The subcompact hybrid is also expected to get better fuel-economy than the Toyota Prius.
Insiders say that Toyota is counting on the new subcompact hybrid to be a big seller and plans to produce 150,000 units annually.
Toyota will increase its hybrid vehicle output as it expands its battery venture with Japan’s Panasonic Corp to produce more than 1 million nickel-metal hydride batteries by the end of 2010.The collaboration will also see an increase in the production of lithium-ion batteries for a plug-in Prius hybrid going on sale in late 2012.
As Detroit News points out, adding another high-profile hybrid to its lineup would boost sales for Toyota and increase profitability of the Japanese automaker’s hybrid car business by reducing the per-vehicle cost of components.