1WEEE Services • ABSL Space Products • ADA Technologies, Inc.
BAND-IT-IDEX, Inc. • Battery Ventures • Boston-Power • Branson Ultrasonics Corp.
Cymbet Corp. • Electrochem Solutions, Inc. • Elithion • Eltek Valere
Energy Insights • Freescale Semiconductor • Hawaii Natural Energy Institute, SOEST
Idaho National Laboratory • Imara Corp. • International Battery • Inverness Graham Investments
K2 Energy Solutions, Inc. • Micro Power Electronics, Inc. • National Renewable Energy Laboratory
Netzsch Instruments • NEXcell Battery Co., Ltd. • Nexergy • Oak Ridge National Laboratory
PowerGenix • Renewable Power Systems, Inc. • RockPort Capital Partners
Samsung SDI America, Inc. • Shanghai ShiLong Hi-Tech Co., Ltd.
Southwest Electronic Energy Group • Texas Instruments, Inc.
Thermal Hazard Technology • Trident Capital • UltraCell Corp. • US Geological Survey
Un. of Nebraska - Lincoln • World Peace Industrial Co, Ltd.

Tuesday, October 20th

7:00 Registration Opens & Networking Breakfast

8:00 Welcome and Introductions

8:05 Keynote Presentation
Venture Capital Investor Panel
Venture Capital investment in advanced battery companies is growing, with interest expanding all across the value chain. However, few have a long track record, essential in such a demanding field where a firm grasp of electrochemistry is needed to discern a lab project from a home run. This session will bring together some of the industry’s leading VC investors with experience in the battery industry to share their insights, strategies and evaluation process. These investors will share their experience funding fast growing battery companies, and ample time will be made available for the audience to interact with the panel to answer your questions, and gain an insight into this keenly important topic.
Moderated by Skip Maner, Managing Principal • Inverness Graham Investments
Abe Yokell, Principal • RockPort Capital Partners
Mark Iwanowski, Venture Partner • Trident Capital

9:10 Featured Presentation
Lithium Ion Cell Evaluation – Optimizing Battery Performance For Your Application
Today, Lithium ion batteries are commonly used in many non-consumer applications that include portable medical devices, commercial power tools, military devices, various wireless applications, server backup and industrial products of all types. These applications often have a set of unique requirements that require evaluation to verify performance under their specific conditions. These requirements might include operation outside of the typical temperature ranges, high discharge pulse rates, extreme cycle life, long calendar life in backup applications, fast charging and shallow cycling. This presentation will report on evaluations on Li-ion cells with various chemistries including lithium iron phosphate, as well as demonstrate the differences in lithium ion cylindrical, prismatic and polymer performance.
Chris Turner, Director of Battery Technology • Nexergy, Inc.

10:00 Networking Break

10:45
Ultra Low Voltage, High Efficiency Boost Converter for Battery Charging Applications
Conventional semiconductor technology has been inadequate at low voltages for battery charging in many electronics applications. These include boosting low-voltage sources, which by their very nature produce very low voltages and don’t series connect well. These include thermal, bio-chemical, solar, chemical mechanical and other low voltage sources. To charge batteries it is desired to boost these voltages to higher voltage levels. Demonstrated and described will be a boost converter, which starts up and operates with nearly 90 percent conversion efficiency and operates at approximately one-third of a volt allowing charging from harvesting and unconventional sources.
Kevin Parmenter, Applications Engineering Manager • Freescale Semiconductor

Fuel Cells and Batteries: Achieving Grid-Like Power for Off-Grid Deployments
Fuel cells offer battery professionals grid-like power for off-grid deployments irrespective of the duration or location. Unlike batteries that need to be replaced or recharged, fuel cells offer extreme portability and some of the longest runtimes for unattended deployments. Hybrid systems consisting of reformed methanol fuel cells and batteries are a promising portable power solution that combines the high energy density and peak power capabilities of these two complementary technologies; a major requirement for unattended deployment of electronic sensing, computing and communications devices for critical remote or mobile operations.
Ian Kaye, CTO • UltraCell Corp.

Battery Pack Design to Prevent Cell Damage in Transient Thermal Gradients
Users in all markets are demanding increased functionality in ever lighter and smaller packages, but industrial, military and medical equipment is often exposed to more extreme temperatures than consumer electronics. Extremely high temperature operation or survival provides a significant challenge for cells based on lithium chemistry. Our thermal modeling demonstrates that a battery pack can be designed to protect the cells from temperatures well over 100°C for a short period of time. We will present a thermal model of cells enclosed in a battery pack and show how the packaging can be designed for protection in transient thermal gradients. The original dynamic heat transfer model will be discussed and verification of both the model and the battery pack design with a thermal chamber will then be presented.
Robin Sarah Tichy, Technical Marketing Manager • Micro Power Electronics, Inc.

11:25
Challenges and Solutions for LiFePO4 State of Charge Indication
LiFePO4 has recently immerged as a lead candidate for safe high-power capable battery chemistry for electric, hybrid vehicles and power tools. Its robustness to thermal run-away conditions and very good cycle life make it suitable for high rate of charge and discharge and wide temperature range. However, adoption of this chemistry in consumer electronics devices has been slow because of its lower energy density and the significant challenge for traditional voltage based capacity gauging. Explore an error analysis of voltage-based gauging if applied to LiFePO4 battery. Further we will describe a solution to the problem in the 3rd generation Impedance Track algorithm that takes into account flatness of different portions of voltage profile to balance between coulomb counting and voltage correlation for achieving best overall accuracy.
Yevgen Barsukov, Senior Applications Engineer • Texas Instruments, Inc.

Fixing the Frequency with Li-Ion: Demonstration Projects for Frequency Regulation of the Electric Grid
For a safe and efficient electrical grid, operators must maintain a steady 60 cycles per second on their lines. Failure to do so will cause voltage surges and sags and present an intolerable safety risk. The traditional method to regulate frequency is to ramp fossil fuel plants up and down for a matter of minutes in order to keep the lines steady. A new method of frequency regulation, utilizing energy storage devices, is gaining ground. This presentation would focus on three pilot projects that are providing frequency regulation for the grid utilizing lithium-ion batteries. The presentation will discuss the frequency regulation market and then will analyze the projects based on their technology, their economics and the real world lessons that have been learned.
Sam Jaffe, Senior Research Analyst, Renewable and Distributed Energy Strategies • Energy Insights

Battery Performance and Thermal Management: Cell, Module, Pack Calorimetry Testing
Current focus in the lithium battery world is firmly fixed on vehicle and high power draw applications. The race is on to provide sustainable power solutions for electric, hybrid and assisted vehicles. Knowledge on minimizing heat release and managing heat output is vital. To get such information requires knowledge of both effect of heat upon and amount of heat released from batteries and power packs of large size and capacity. This presentation will give examples of recent applications showing calorimeters results from cell and module level. The data will be applied at this level demonstrating how calorimetry allows battery performance, aging and lifecycle information to be obtained. Taken together all calorimetric data allow a thorough understanding of performance of for example the power pack in a hybrid vehicle providing the information to give inherent safety with optimum performance.
Martyn Ottaway, Managing Director • Thermal Hazard Technology

12:00 Networking Lunch & Round Table Discussions
Advancements in Large Format Lithium-Ion Batteries
Large format prismatic lithium-ion cells have made considerable progress over the past several years and are now enabling a new generation of energy storage applications including electric vehicles and smart grid applications. Advancements in the manufacturing process not only allow for cells that are ten to fifty times larger than before, resulting in greater energy density, but also facilitate the development of a water-based electrode coating process, eliminating the need for toxic chemicals. Managed through a comprehensive battery management system, energy storage systems utilizing large format cells are safer, more reliable and result in higher efficiency and system energy density.  
Moderated by John Battaglini, Vice President – Business Development & Sales • International Battery

1:30
Combining Built-In Charge Control and Discharge Balancing to Balance Independent Series Connected Battery Modules
Cell balancing for higher voltage Li-Ion battery systems is critical in providing Li-Ion’s expectation of reliable high capacity, high power, extended life and no compromise safety. Hear real life examples of simple and automatic cell and module balancing methods that extend Li-Ion battery pack voltage, allow multiple charge power sources, including green power sources, allow ultra flexible battery system design, and allow fast and simple replacement of weak battery modules instead of the whole battery system. This new automatic module balancing method uses off-the-shelf components, is robust, and is relatively inexpensive.
David A. White, Electrical Engineer • Southwest Electronic Energy Group

Battery System Management and Cell Variations
With renewable energy distributed power generation, plug-in hybrids, portable electronics and energy storage applications in sight, it is anticipated that the battery use will increase significantly in the foreseeable future. Among various electrochemical energy storage systems available to date, lithium ion batteries seem to attract the most attention because of the higher specific power and energy than other competitive technologies such as NiMH or lead-acid. Unfortunately, the requirements to safety and tolerance to abuse with the Li-ion batteries are more stringent than the others. Discover a unique approach that can take conventional battery test results through careful analysis to derive useful information about cell performance variations and attributes to degradation. A battery model that can accommodate such cell variations can accurately predict battery performance and monitor cell degradation to prevent undesirable pre-mature failure and effectively mitigate cell imbalance in a pack.
Matthieu Dubarry and Bor Yann Liaw • Hawaii Natural Energy Institute, SOEST

Cradle-to-Grave Clean Lithium-Ion Batteries
Lithium-ion batteries are fast becoming the next generation of automotive power systems. Breaking the tie between the source of energy generation and energy consumption through electrification is a fundamental change in transportation that represents a tremendous opportunity to include the environment as we reinvent the automobile. While historically, battery manufacturing has been known as a dirty business, lithium-ion cell production can be done with a far less environmental impact. It is important that the complete cycle of production, use and disposal be considered when evaluating alternative propulsion choices. This session will analyze cradle-to-grave concept applied to lithium-ion batteries, green production of lithium-ion batteries and environmental costs and the end value to OEMs and consumers.
Neil Maguire Vice President, Business Development • Imara Corp.

2:10
Battery Charging a Key to Improving Efficiency of Electric Cars
Battery powered cars are now starting to make a comeback as new battery technology, stylish designs and an increased desire by consumers to lower their carbon footprint is taking hold. While many of these vehicles are zero in local emissions, more can still be done to lower their overall electricity consumption especially while recharging, which has a significant impact on the environment and on the power bills of consumers. Examine the industry techniques and market developments in the electric automotive market and the benefits of the newest HE battery charging technologies.
Arne Steinbakk, Product Director • Eltek Valere

Rapid Development of Large Li-Ion Battery Packs Using Off-the-Shelf Battery Management Systems
When developing large Li-Ion batteries, such as traction packs for vehicles, using an off-the-shelf BMS will reduce the time to market significantly, and drastically cut down on development costs and risks. Advantages include ready made hardware, minimal (if any) NREs and software that leverages the BMS designers' experience and understanding of Li-Ion battery issues. Various commercially available BMS will be compared. Pros and cons of using an off-the-shelf BMS versus designing your own (from scratch or using specialized ICs) will be analyzed. The process of deploying a BMS will also be described.
Davide Andrea, Engineer • Elithion

Challenges to Bringing New Li-Ion Paradigms to High Reliability Markets
ABSL has pioneered the use of Li-ion technology for space applications for more than a decade. However, ABSL followed a different path from the traditional approach of employing cell balancing and protection electronics. Instead, arrays of closely matched small Li-ion cells have been used that rely on internal protection devices to achieve completely passive (no active electronics) battery systems. This reduced simplicity has proved very attractive to customers both within and outside aerospace but has required much testing to prove long-term reliability and safety.
Chris Pearson • ABSL Space Products

2:45 Networking Break

3:15
A Hybrid Battery System for Electric Vehicles
Nickel Metal Hydride batteries (Ni-MH) are widely used on hybrid electric vehicle. Large capacity Ni-MH batteries can also be used on electric vehicle (EV) because of their safety factor and simple battery power management system. Zinc air batteries are a highly reliable metal air battery system and has very high energy density. Ni-MH zinc air batteries can be combined as a hybrid battery system to gain both power and energy for EV applications. This presentation will cover the design and performance of a EV hybrid battery system with a 10,000 Wh Ni-MH battery and a 30,000 Wh Zinc air battery.
David H. Shen, Ph.D., President • NEXcell Battery Co., Ltd.

Diagnostic Analysis, Modeling and Prediction of Capacity Loss In Li-Ion Cells
Capacity loss in Li-ion cells is due to a combination of mechanisms including loss of free available lithium, loss of active host sites and shifts in the potential-capacity curve. There are tandem needs for accurate interpretation of capacity at characterization conditions (cycling rate, temperature, etc.) and for robust self-consistent modeling techniques that can be used for diagnostic analysis of cell data as well as forecasting of future performance. To address these needs, a modeling capability was developed that serves to provide a kinetic analysis of the contributing factors to capacity loss and to act as a regression/prediction platform for cell performance. The presentation will cover mathematical and theoretical frameworks, and will demonstrate application to capacity data obtained for various Li-ion cells covering test periods up to 140 weeks, and will show model predictions well past the end of test periods.
Kevin L. Gering, PhD, R&D Scientist and INL Technical Lead for DOE-ABR, Energy Storage & Transportation Systems • Idaho National Laboratory

Extending the Battery Life Cycle with Ultra Caps
Battery life can be compromised due to a number of factors usually under the control of the user. As a consequence, a user with limited time or less interest in battery maintenance will appreciate a system to improve or increase battery life. Especially if the device requires no maintenance and operates in most any environment or space needing no conditioning. This describes the Ultra Cap and is installed on the same DC bus complimenting the batteries by extending their life.
Gene Weaver, Vice President Sales & Marketing • Renewable Power Systems, Inc.

3:50
Advances in NiZn Technologies for Light Electric and Hybrid Vehicle Applications
Nickel-Zinc offers distinct advantages for use in vehicle applications. First, compared to current technologies, such as NiMh, Li-ion and lead acid, NiZn offers benefits in high energy density, long cycle life, low cost, weight/size reduction, low internal resistance. The NiZn Rechargeable battery is an environmentally eco-friendly technology as well as inherently safe, with no toxins or flammable material used in its construction.
Joe Carcone, Vice President – New Business Development • PowerGenix

Using Adiabatic Calorimetry to Design Inherently Safer Li-Ion Batteries
Adiabatic, along with other forms of Calorimetry such as Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) and isothermal calorimetry have long been used by chemical and pharmaceutical companies for measuring the potential for thermal runaways in existing or proposed processes. More recently, the calorimetry methods have been applied to Li-ion development. In this presentation attendees will get examples of the wealth of information available from the field of chemical process safety and its applications to Li-ion development allowing the researcher to use some new techniques as well as being able to avoid some common mistakes and assumptions.
Peter Ralbovsky, Calorimetry Expert • Netzsch Instruments

Boosting Ultracapacitor Performances with Nanostructured Carbon Electrodes and Environmentally Friendly Ionic Liquid Electrolytes
Ultracapacitors have been developed to provide power pulses for a wide range of applications. However, to satisfy the rapidly increasing performance demands for these applications, performances of the current state-of-the-art ultracapacitors need to improve. This requires new electrode materials and new electrolyte materials. We utilized carbon nanotubes to develop a range of nanostructured electrodes and combined them with ionic liquid electrolytes to develop new ultracapacitors. Combining the unique properties of these new materials, the resultant capacitors showed significantly improved cell voltage, energy density and power density, outperforming the current ultracapacitor technology. Furthermore, difference in the cost, preparation procedure and capacitor performance of these electrode materials enables the best performance / cost value for the optimal capacitors.
Wen Lu, Ph.D., Senior Research Scientist, Energy Storage Program Manager • ADA Technologies, Inc.

4:30
Next Generation Li-Ion Technology: Untethered and Environmentally Sustainable
Consumers lack confidence in a truly portable power solution. This lack of confidence can be attributed to their experience with poor performance and unpredictable longevity. As a consequence, users continue to rely on AC power even when a battery is available. In this presentation, Boston-Power, Inc.’s vision for a truly untethered mobile lifestyle will be examined, and the key enabling battery attributes and performance metrics discussed. Increased cycle life, fast charge and predictable runtime give users the confidence to be truly mobile. Other performance attributes of the latest technology platforms, including energy density, rate capability and low temperature performance, will be presented. These improvements are extending applications beyond consumer electronics into transportation, military and medical markets. In closing, the end-user and battery industry’s increased investment in and adherence to third party environmental accreditation and government support for these initiatives will be discussed.
Eric Carlson, Director of Technical Sales • Boston-Power

Materials Joining Technologies for Battery Applications
The use of ultrasonic energy for the assembly of battery components and for the final assembly of battery packs, provides battery manufacturers with multiple advantages over traditional methods.    Ultrasonic welding is a clean, fast and consistent process that does not involve the use of consumables. With the advent of newer and larger batteries for stationary power and hybrid electric vehicles the need and demand for such process advantages has become that much more critical given the advanced performance and utility criteria of such applications. This has necessitated the use of other assembly technologies such as vibration, laser and hot plate welding that not only provide similar advantages as ultrasonic welding but are also able to produce high strength hermetic seals over larger weld areas. This presentation will discuss a range of materials joining technologies in relation to battery and fuel cell applications and thereby provide a detailed insight into how designers and manufacturers can use these technologies to produce better quality product in an efficient and cost effective manner.
Nitin P. Phadnis, Worldwide Industry Segment Manager • Branson Ultrasonics Corp.

5:00 Cocktail Reception

Wednesday, October 21st

8:00 Keynote Presentation
Battery Projects and Developments in Government Laboratories
This panel discussion will feature three of the country's leading government labs actively involved in fundamental battery research and development. Hear what battery projects they are currently working on and what exciting developments are on the horizon for electronics, renewable energy, automotive and other applications.
Ahmad Pesaran, Principal Engineer • National Renewable Energy Laboratory
George Andrews, Program Manager • Oak Ridge National Laboratory
Kevin Gering, R&D Scientist • Idaho National Laboratory

9:00 Featured Presentation
Basics of the EU-Directive on Batteries: The Legal Scope and Its Impacts
This presentation will outline the objectives and most important provisions of the European Union’s Battery Directive 2006/66/EC. Attendees will receive an overview of the national implementation status in the 27 EU member states, and the Directive’s definition of “producer” and “battery.” Learn the details the originating obligations for “producers” (be it manufacturers, distributors, importers or distance sellers), such as registration, reporting, collection and treatment, labeling and other information requirements, ban of certain substances. Finally, the financial and organizational effort for compliance of an affected company is assessed.
Ofira Varga, Environmental Consultant • 1WEEE Services

10:00 Networking Break

10:30
Modular LFP Batteries for Electric Vehicle Applications
Lithium-ion batteries based on lithium iron phosphate cathode materials are a good choice for electric drive vehicle (EDV) applications because of their intrinsic safety, low cost, and long cycle life. Given the wide range of voltage, power, and capacity requirements for potential electric drive applications, from a battery manufacturer’s perspective, a modular approach to EDV battery fabrication permits both design flexibility and rapid fabrication as well as providing the vehicle manufacturer with more options for utilizing available space within the vehicle chassis.
James D. Hodge, Ph.D, Chief Technical Officer, K2 Energy Solutions, Inc.

The Development of a Secondary Cylinder Alkaline Zn/MnO2 Battery Separator
The primary, mercury-free cylinder Zn/MnO2 battery has been widely used in various kinds of consumable electro-devices for years because of the abundance of Zinc and Manganese, low raw material cost and environment friendliness as well as a higher operating voltage. As the RoSH and WEEE regulations are brought into effect, which forbids the Ni/Cd battery in consumable market, a great opportunity of development is offered to the secondary alkaline cylinder Zn/MnO2 battery. The session highlights the development of the separator of the secondary alkaline cylinder Zn/MnO2 battery, relying on the unique secondary battery separator and the special additive of Zinc electrode.
Jirong Dong • Shanghai ShiLong Hi-Tech Co., Ltd.

11:10
Large-Sized Li-ion Cell Technology for Energy Storage System
Beyond conventional battery applications, energy storage systems become a crucial part for the expansion of green, renewable energy deployment and PHEV penetration in coming years. With its high energy density and good performance, Li-ion batteries are increasingly introduced to the MW-class energy storage market. Various types of Li-ion cell chemistry and design were reviewed with the point of cost, safety, energy density and cycle life. Based on this review, the optimized cell design solution will be proposed for the various energy storage applications.
Sunam Lee, Director of Marketing and Business Development, Samsung SDI America, Inc.

11:50 Networking Lunch

1:00
Pervasive Power: Integrating Energy Storage for Point of Load Delivery
Hear about several exciting new concepts in micro and nano power delivery solutions. Learn about the emergence of interconnected power grids from the Macro Grid to the Femto Grid, as well as the identification of new Point of Load power delivery techniques in the Pico Grid and the Femto Grid. Discover new thin film battery technologies that provide Point of Load powering with an introduction to the concept of Pervasive Power and a review of new applications that use Point of Load and Pervasive Power techniques.
Steve Grady, Vice President of Marketing • Cymbet Corp.

Mechanical Clamping of Battery Packages
Mechanical fasteners have advantages and disadvantages versus other joining techniques such as welding and adhesives and may be better suited to specific applications. This presentation will focus on the use of stainless steel clamps, primarily in the assembly of battery packages. Topics addressed will include common stainless steel materials and their properties, characteristics of clamped joints and the inclusion of a clamping system in a capable manufacturing process.
John Lippke, Applications Engineer • BAND-IT-IDEX, Inc.

1:40
Impact of Battery Pack Insertion and Removal on System Side Fuel Gauge
Host side fuel gauge has its advantages such as low cost, easy to implement and faster pack design cycle time. It also requires more system design consideration, particularly on battery pack interaction with the host side gauge when pack is inserted and removed from the system. The impact of battery pack insertion and removal is discussed in this presentation. Different cases are studied to provide system and gauge design consideration when using host side fuel gauge.
Ming Yu, Application Engineer, Battery Management Solutions • Texas Instruments, Inc.
Kim Hsu, Technical Marketing Manager • World Peace Industrial Co, Ltd.

Improved Performance in Lithium Primary Batteries in Long-Term High Temperature Operation
The lithium oxyhalide primary batteries, lithium/thionyl chloride and lithium/sulfuryl chloride, are widely used in applications that require operation at temperatures above 100°C. However, the oxyhalide chemistries are subject to passivation and self-discharge, each of which can limit the life of these systems when they are exposed to high temperatures over prolonged periods. Learn about improvements in electrolyte formulations and in methods of battery operation that can allow the very high energy lithium oxyhalide primary systems to operate for extremely long times even under these harsh conditions.
Arden P. Johnson, R&D Manager • Electrochem Solutions, Inc.

2:15
A Novel Dynamic Reconfiguration Approach to Improve the Performance of Multicell Battery
This session will explore a novel approach to dynamically reconfigure the battery configuration for improved energy conversion efficiency, safety and operating time. The proposed approach will jointly combine the system power management with battery nonlinear effects and non-uniform performances among battery cells to choose the optimal cell configuration and schedule computing tasks. A mathematical programming method has been used to optimize the configuration of a multicell battery in a real-time fashion. The experiment results show that the proposed method can significantly improve the battery energy conversion efficiency, operating time, and safety.
Jiucai Zhang, Department of Computer and Electronics Engineering • University of Nebraska - Lincoln
Song Ci, PhD., • iUbiComp Lab

Analysis of Battery Metals Supply
Emerging battery technologies and new applications of existing battery types have reinforced the battery industry’s reliance on a wide range of mineral commodities. The USGS collects, analyzes and disseminates information on the domestic and international supply of and demand for minerals and materials that are essential to battery manufacturers. An analysis of the markets for cadmium, cobalt, lead, lithium, nickel, and rare earth elements is essential to understanding their roles in the battery industry. The shifting focus of the battery industry, in response to increased demand for battery power, storage and transportation, is reflected in production, consumption trends, price movements and the global trade balance for these mineral commodities.
David E. Guberman, Mineral Commodity Specialist • US Geological Survey

2:45 Conclusion of Conference