eReport

June 2008

Atmospheric Plasma Surface Modification for Continuous Manufacturing of Flexible Power Sources

The advantages for enabling manufacturing of thin flexible sources of power by roll-to-roll processes are evident. In addition to extremely low production costs, the flexible nature of these devices dramatically enables not only their application within a broader range of stationary and remote devices, but also their integration with other flexible materials. Using atmospheric pressure glow discharge plasma technology as an integrated roll-to-roll or continuous production line process for manufacturing power-generating materials can be key to developing continuous, in-line production processes to create inexpensive and flexible item-level power sources.

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Odyne Corp. Awarded Patent for Battery Thermal Management System

Odyne Corp. has been awarded a US Patent for its Battery Thermal Management System (BTMS). Approved for patent is a battery tray enclosure, designed to provide a method for thermally managing commercially available battery modules through conduction cooling or heating. The BTMS provides several key features such as protection from the environment, structural integrity, passive/active thermal management and the ability to scale the design for a variety of battery module shapes/sizes. Although the design can be used in any mobile application, Odyne’s BTMS is optimized for use in Class 6,7 and 8 buses and trucks where a variety of terrains and environmental conditions are experienced year round.

According to Joe Ambrosio, founder and CTO of Odyne, “The use of the technology embodied in this patent will improve the functionality and extend the operating life of battery packs used in mobile applications. Battery enclosures need to be placed within a variety of locations within a vehicle, sometimes not in the best place for keeping a battery at optimal temperatures. Batteries are like people, they like to be kept near or at room temperature. Our patented design allows for chilled or heated fluids to be pumped to the battery wherever it is located within the vehicle. "

ECOtality’s Innergy Power to Develop and Manufacture Battery Systems for Electric Vehicle Applications

ECOtality, Inc., a provider in clean electric transportation and storage technologies, has released immediate plans for its subsidiary, Innergy Power Corp., to develop and manufacture advanced battery systems for electric vehicle (EV) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) applications. Electric Transportation Engineering Corp. (eTec), also a subsidiary of ECOtality, will provide Innergy Power with its advanced charge management (ACM) technology that optimizes battery performance for fast-charging with the eTec Minit-Charger fast-charge systems and provides real-time battery condition information for users.

The Innergy Power battery systems will be designed with eTec’s ACM technology that maximizes fast-charging capabilities and provides dual communication capabilities between the battery and the charging station to provide instant feedback to users about the state-of-charge, battery charging history and overall battery condition. Specifically designed for eTec Minit-Charger systems, Innergy Power’s battery systems will feature optimized fast-charging capabilities to enable an EV or PHEV to be charged in 10 to 15 minutes while eliminating the risks of overcharging and extending overall battery life.

While Innergy Power’s advanced battery systems can be recharged overnight using standard 120 V outlets, the ACM technology enhances fast charging capabilities to greatly reduce recharging time and provides a solution for recharging an EV or PHEV while on the go. Innergy Power will be custom designing these battery systems for use in various electric transportation applications including full-sized electric vehicles, plug-in hybrids, neighborhood electric vehicles, electric scooters and electric bikes.

“Our ability to significantly increase our battery production capabilities at our Tijuana, Mexico facility allows us to immediately capitalize upon the increasing demand for battery systems for hybrids, EVs and PHEVs,” stated Darrell Musick, president and CEO, Innergy Power. “By increasing our battery manufacturing for electric transportation applications, we will greatly benefit from eTec’s expertise and are poised for instant growth in expanding markets that will enhance our bottom line.”

Air Products Awarded Two Key Patents for Lithium Ion Batteries

Air Products has received two US patents covering usage of its Stabilife fluorinated electrolyte salts in lithium ion batteries. These salts have been formulated to stand up to the difficult conditions expected from next generation portable power applications as well as hybrid electric vehicles (HEV).

"These patents will help Air Products develop the materials for next generation HEVs," said Wayne Mitchell, vice president and general manager of Performance Materials for Air Products. "They are testament to the enabling characteristics of fluorinated materials for lithium ion batteries, as well as our company's 30 years of experience working with fluorine compounds."

Air Products' Stabilife Salts are electrolyte salts based on the poly- fluorinated borane cluster anions, [B12FxH12-x]2. Stabilife salts have exhibited extraordinary thermal and hydrolytic stability that can allow for the use of safer, lower cost electrode materials, such as LiMn2O4 and LiFePO4, in large format lithium ion batteries. They also have expanded the operating temperature window of lithium ion batteries versus currently employed lithium electrolyte salts.

Battery Power 2008 – Battery Manufacturing Track

Battery Power2008, September 4-5 in New Orleans will feature several tracks dedicated to the most recent advancement in the battery industry, from power management to charging technology. Here are a few sessions you’ll see in the Battery Manufacturing Track:
• Cathode Materials for Lithium Ion Batteries, Dr. Stefan Malcus, Manager International Technology, Toda Kogyo Europe GmbH
• New Non-Metallic High Electron Flow Plastic Materials for Capacitors and Anodes, Keith Donaldson, President, Engineered Materials, Inc.
• Advances in Characterization Techniques for Understanding Degradation and Failure Modes in Lithium-Ion Cells, Quinn C. Horn, Managing Engineer, Exponent, Inc.
• Lithium Ion Cell Evaluation – Going Beyond the Manufacturer’s Data Sheets, Chris Turner, Director of Battery Technology, Nexergy, Inc.
• Laser Welding for Battery Pack Manufacture, Geoff Shannon, PhD, Product Manager, Miyachi Unitek Corp.
• Evaluation of Atmospheric Plasma Surface Modification for Continuous Processing of Flexible Battery Components, Rory A. Wolf, Vice President Business Development, Enercon Industries Corporation
• Domestic Manufacturing of Lithium Ion Cells, Tibor Kalnoki-Kis, General Manager, Electro Energy, Inc.

Register for Battery Power 2008 by July 31st and save $400. Click here to visit the conference Web site: http://www.batterypoweronline.com/bp08_index.htm.

July
7-10 - 43rd Power Sources Conference, Philadelphia, Penn.

14-16 - Advanced Capacitors World Summit 2008,
San Diego, Calif.

August
3-8 - APCO, Kansas City, Mo.

Ecosystems Summit 2008 • Denver, Colo. • June 25-26

The rules are changing in IT alliances and partnerships. Today, more than ever, software, IT and technology companies need to know how to build their ecosystems of strategic alliances and partners, and how best to profit from these relationships.

At Ecosystems Summit 2008, Charles Weaver, President, Managed Services Alliance, will discuss the business drivers behind the growth in companies outsourcing key business processes such as network security, data protection, network administration and more, and what this growing acceptance of the service provider model means for future business opportunities. He'll also offer specific advice on how MSPs and vendors should work more closely together to benefit end-users.

Join alliance & partner program managers, C-level executives, channel managers, VARs, market development and product managers at Ecosystems Summit 2008, June 25-26 in Denver, to learn from the best at developing, managing and profiting from strategic alliances.

Click here to register: http://www.softwarebusinessonline.com/ses_conf08_reg.php.

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