Panasonic successfully developed the 3.1 Ah lithium-ion battery
Since their high energy density and light weight properties are suitable for applications like laptop computers and mobile phones,demand for lithium-ion batteries is growing as a power source for mobile devices.With such devices becoming more sophisticated and powerful, they require more robust and safer batteries that do not cause abnormal heating.
Panasonic Corporation developed a 18650-type high-capacity 3.1 Ah lithium-ion battery and began mass production of the battery this December. The new 3.1 Ah battery has a nickel positive electrode and an energy density of 675 Wh/L. The same type (18 mm in diameter x 65 mm in length) of batteries are widely used in laptop computers.The company successfully achieved safety and high capacity by using its unique Heat Resistance Layer (HRL) technology that forms an insulating metal oxide layer between the positive and negative electrodes. The layer could be able to prevent the battery from overheating even if a short circuit occurs.
Capitalizing on this technology, Panasonic commercialized a high-capacity 2.9 Ah lithium-ion battery with a nickel positive electrode (energy density: 620 Wh/L) in 2006. Based on the cell construction with the nickel positive electrode and the HRL, the company added improvements to the battery and succeeded in developing the 3.1 Ah lithium-ion battery, the industry's highest capacity in the 18650-type.
The new battery provides long-lasting power to laptops. This high energy density battery can also contribute to downsizing and weight reduction of portable devices.By adopting the nickel positive electrode, the new rechargeable battery excels in durability in actual use and charge retention.Due to low self-discharge,this new battery can be stored for a long period of time.
Panasonic will continue to refine its battery technology to deliver lithium-ion batteries combining safety with high capacity and use this technology to develop commercially viable green energy storage systems.
More Battery Tax Credits
According to foreign media report,Michigan's Legislature has passed another round of legislation to authorize tax credits to companies working on advanced vehicle battery technology and batteries pack assembly processes in the state.
The legislation,which builds on a package enacted into state law earlier this year,overwhelmingly approved late Thursday is now headed to Gov. Jennifer Granholm.It is believed that the measures could be helpful for companies including Ford Motor Co., General Motors Corp., Dow Chemical and Fortu PowerCell to expand operations in the state.
Once passed, the bills will allow the state to grant companies tax breaks that would vary by project size and process. A lithium ion battery company, for example, could get up to $78 million in tax credits.
planned battery venture promoted shares to rise
After the battery maker said it is planning a Chinese joint venture,which will supply batteries for SAIC's planned plug-in hybrid vehicle,with General Motors Co. partner SAIC Motor Corp.to supply batteries for electric and hybrid vehicles,shares of A123 Systems Inc.rose Thursday.
China is the world's biggest auto market.SAIC is one of China's biggest automakers.
The new venture, called Shanghai Advanced Traction Battery Systems Co., will be the main supplier for all hybrid and pure electric vehicles made by SAIC Motor and its subsidiaries. SAIC, owned by the Chinese government, will hold a 51 percent stake, said A123, which is based in Watertown, Mass.
The announcement "solidifies our belief that A123 is in (a) strong position to be awarded additional contracts," said Deutsche Bank analyst Dan Galves in a note to clients.
Thanks to SAIC's joint venture with GM, the new partnership could also be in a strong position to supply batteries for potential GM vehicles, he said.
Galves said the Chinese government's "rhetoric" has been "positive" on electronic and hybrid vehicles in China, and it is believed that the sector's growth will be "very meaningful." A123's "partnership with SAIC is quite favorable for the long term."
A123 shares rose $1.60, or 8.7 percent, to $19.92 in afternoon trading amid a decline in broader markets.
You-Vision Video Glasses
Photojojo, seller of Photoshop fridge magnets, has stuffed a tiny digital camera and microphone into a pair of glasses. They call this particular hybrid of modern technology and nerd chic You-Vision Video Glasses.A little present from Q branch this season is likely to be available..
The glasses record video from a lens hidden in the bridge,controlled by tiny buttons on the unusually thick earpiece. A rechargeable lithium battery powers the glasses for a maximum of five hours, which is about as much video as you can store on the 2GB of flash memory that it has. After you're done creating your tiny, first-person masterpiece, videos can be downloaded to your Mac or PC with a USB cable.Unfortunately, the quality of the video from the glasses is a bit lacking. At 320 x 240 resolution at up to 25 frames per second, the video is half the size and a bit lower quality than video recorded from an iPod Nano.
But for what it lacks in specs, it makes up for in cool. What other camera glasses do you know of that come with suave, UV-protected lenses and clear lenses that allow you to nerd it up? That cost $150 and come with a case and cleaning cloth.
Boston-Power Inc–Partner in a Swedish Coalition
Boston-Power Inc.,lithium-ion battery maker,is a partner in a Swedish coalition which has been established to create zero-emission, high-performance vehicles.
Funded by a $12 million grant from a Swedish Energy Agency grant, the coalition includes companies from the automotive manufacturing, battery and electric power train sectors. Named the ZE Saab 9-3,Initial demonstration models of the vehicle are receiving positive reviews, Boston-Power said in a press release. The group plans to build more than 100 additional cars in 2010.Swedish firms Saab Automobile AB, Electroengine in Sweden AB, Innovatum and Power Circle,and Sweden's electric power industry trade organization are participating in the efforts.