E-Report

May 2008

Lithium Technology Corp. to Launch Advanced New Product Line

Lithium Technology Corp. (LTC) has launched its new product line of high energy density lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) cells, the largest cells of their kind in the world. This product line is aimed at answering the need of the electrical vehicle (EV) and the plug in hybrid vehicle (PHEV) markets.

The company's new product line offers cells ranging from 8 Ah to 40 Ah, which joins the existing high power line that offers cells ranging from 6 Ah to 35 Ah. The company's complete portfolio of products includes various cell chemistries and large batteries.

LTC's large format technology allows for the development of safer battery systems with a lower number of cells. The weight of the battery is decreased while performance and safety monitoring capabilities are increased. The battery management system (BMS) precisely monitors fewer cells, keeping them in balance for best performance and preventing damage to the battery due to over voltage, under voltage, over temperature and short circuit.

New Light-to-Digital Sensor ICs Extend Battery Life and Deliver Enhanced Functionality

Intersil Corp. has introduced easy to use light-to-digital sensors, designed to increase battery life and deliver enhanced functionality and performance in mobile, computer and consumer electronic products.

The ISL29010 and ISL29013 are highly accurate sensors that measure and digitize the value of ambient light and then allow access to that information through a standard I2C interface. This provides a simple way to improve efficiency and functionality in end products by enabling applications to automatically adjust to varying light conditions. Performance advantages include extended battery life from keypad and display dimming in mobile devices as well as increased performance in displays for LCD panels, digital picture frames and digital cameras.

The spectral response of these devices attenuates unwanted IR radiation to provide accurate light measurement even in extreme low-light conditions. This is accomplished by integrating a full light-to-digital solution that includes specially tuned photodiodes to remove all unwanted IR noise, a signed 15-bit integrating ADC that allows for low-light sensitivity and automatic noise cancellation.

The ISL29010 and ISL29013 feature gain selection, giving designers the ability to select the dynamic range and low-light sensitivity that best matches the needs of their application. This software-enabled functionality to choose between low-light sensitivity and wider dynamic range ensures maximum performance as well as unmatched flexibility.

The ISL29010 and ISL29013 are available now in 6-lead ODFN packages (2 mm by 2.1 mm) and are priced at $1.20 each in 1,000-piece quantities.

30 Amp Half Brick DC-DC Converters Feature 93 Percent Efficiency

Lambda has expanded its line of DC-DC converters with the launch of the new iHG series of 100 W fully isolated, single output, half-brick devices. Providing enhanced thermal performance, using the industry standard half-brick footprint with no base plate, the modules are well suited for engineers designing low airflow, high temperature, 48 V power architectures for telecom, wireless, medical, industrial and many other applications. The initial product offering includes 5 V/10 A, 5 V/20 A and 3.3 V/30 A devices, with further products planned.

The single board construction combined with up to 93 percent efficiency delivers a very high level of useable power in convection cooled environments, particularly where airflow rates are low. Furthermore, the all new digital control circuitry bringing a significant component count reduction, as well as improved reliability and lower cost, makes the iHG family well-suited as replacements or upgrades in legacy applications.

The iHG’s operate over a wide input range of from 36 V to 75 VDC and feature a very wide output voltage adjustment/trim range from about 50 percent to 110 percent of its nominal output voltage. Operating temperatures can range from -40°C to 125°C, measured at the module.

In addition to high efficiency operation, the iHG’s very low input current consumption in its standby mode (typically 4.8 mA) demonstrates Lambda’s commitment to the “green” environmental issues of concern to all manufacturers today.

The input is fully isolated from the output, up to 1,500 VDC, further adding to the product’s versatility by allowing different options for polarity and grounding connectivity. Standard features include fixed frequency operation (for reduced EMI), output trim, remote sense, remote on/off, and auto-recovery of input under voltage, output over current, over temperature and over voltage protection.

Portable Rechargeable Battery Association Proposes Changes to United Nations Testing Requirements for Large Format Lithium Ion Batteries

In response to its members’ participation in the production of large format lithium-ion batteries for hybrid electric and electric vehicles, the Portable Rechargeable Battery Association (PRBA) has proposed modifications to battery tests contained in the United Nations’ Manual of Tests and Criteria. The continued reliance on an outdated testing scheme could stifle development of a new generation of environmentally-friendly products, PRBA warned.

“The rechargeable lithium-ion battery is the unsung hero of the consumer electronics revolution and powers the ubiquitous necessities of modern life, cell phones, notebook computers, digital cameras, MP3 players, portable DVDs, PDAs and power tools,” said PRBA executive director George Kerchner. “Now the focus has expanded to larger lithium ion batteries and their equally dramatic potential. These large-format batteries provide cutting-edge solutions to the most vexing problems of our time such as global warming and the addiction to carbon-based fuels,” Kerchner added.

The UN Subcommittee of Experts on the Transport of Dangerous Goods last updated its tests for lithium batteries in 2000, when its primary focus was on small lithium cells and batteries. At that time, no one could have anticipated the significant gains in lithium-ion battery technology, especially the widespread use of large-format batteries by the military and the aerospace, automobile and telecommunications industries. However, the existing set of tests in the UN Manual of Tests and Criteria pose significant technical and financial challenges for large-format battery manufacturers, PRBA said in its filing with the UN.

PRBA’s proposal would eliminate the disparities between testing “small” batteries and large format batteries and include new definitions that clarify when battery components (cells, batteries, battery modules, and battery assembles) are subject to the UN testing requirements. Differentiating between these various components is critical to ensuring the UN Manual of Tests and Criteria remain current with industry practices and terminology.

In developing its proposals, PRBA has worked with member companies that manufacture large format lithium-ion batteries as well as hybrid-electric and electric vehicle manufacturers. PRBA, the rechargeable battery industry’s leading trade association, has increasingly expanded its membership to include companies that manufacture or utilize large format batteries.

PRBA will formally introduce its recommendations for large-format lithium ion batteries at a July meeting of the UN Subcommittee of Experts on the Transport of Dangerous Goods in Geneva, Switzerland.  Copies of PRBA’s proposal can be downloaded at http://www.prba.org/Laws_and_Regulations/Default.ashx .

Saft Wins Follow-On Contract to Supply Advanced Li-Ion Batteries for the US Army Future Combat Systems Vehicles

Saft was recently awarded a multi-year follow-on contract by BAE Systems’ for Future Combat Systems (FCS), the Army’s premier modernization initiative led by the Lead Systems Integrator team of Boeing and partner Science Applications International Corp. Saft will provide lithium-ion (Li-ion) hybrid electric vehicle batteries for Manned Ground Vehicles (MGV), a family of hybrid electric combat vehicles for the FCS program.

Saft will provide a high voltage, 4 kWh battery as part of the energy storage subsystem for the FCS MGV family of vehicles. The battery pack will power hybrid electric propulsion and vehicle start and features a unique module by-pass that allows up to two modules to fail while battery operation continues. This very high power Li-ion battery pack was selected to meet the MGV program’s Battery Pack, High Voltage requirement because of superior performance and ability to withstand extreme temperatures.

“Saft previously supplied batteries for the Non-Line-of-Sight Cannon and the first-generation FCS vehicle,” said Jim Miller, general manager of Saft’s Space and Defense Division. “This contract represents an on-going partnership between Saft and BAE Systems and our strong commitment to the Army’s FCS program.”

Through this new contract, Saft batteries will support BAE Systems’ Common Traction Drive Subsystem (TDS) for the FCS. TDS is a series-hybrid drive system that will provide vehicle propulsion, steering and braking, and regenerate electrical power from braking and downhill grades for use in vehicle electrical systems. The TDS team will join the MGV Propulsion Integrated Product team to work in conjunction with BAE Systems and General Dynamics to develop and fully integrate the propulsion system for the common chassis.

Cellwatch Central Consolidates Multiple Battery Monitoring Systems on One Screen

Cellwatch, a provider of battery monitoring systems, has released the Cellwatch Central, a server application that constantly monitors multiple Cellwatch systems over an internal network or across the Internet.

“Until Cellwatch Central corporate and government entities with multiple buildings and multiple battery rooms have had limited options for pulling all their Cellwatch battery monitoring systems together on one screen,” said David Brown, Cellwatch CEO. “Cellwatch Central is the solution.  It pulls together the condition and alarm data from different Cellwatch systems on one server and then provides data to multiple web viewers throughout a network.”

Remote users can view and interact with real-time, summary condition data such as alarm status, battery condition and alarm history.  Cellwatch Central uses a standard web browser and consolidates the data on a dedicated desktop or rack mount server PC.

Cellwatch Central is currently undergoing field trials in Europe and will be available for general release in the third quarter of 2008.

China Environmental Certification Institution Recognizes Boston Power’s Commitment to Environmental Responsibility

Boston-Power, Inc., a provider of first-to-market portable power solutions, has been recognized by the China Environmental Certification Institution (CEC) for high environmental sustainability standards and responsibility in its manufacturing operations.

In a Beijing ceremony, CEC vice president Li Jian presented the Chinese eco-labeling certificate to Boston-Power Founder and CEO Dr. Christina Lampe-Önnerud, who is here as part of a Swedish-led delegation holding a series of meetings with Chinese officials on environmental technology. The award acknowledges Boston-Power’s efforts to be the first Lithium-ion battery manufacturer to acquire the Chinese environmental certification.

“The Chinese government today pays even more attention to environmental protection issues. In the People's Congresses of the People's Republic of China last month, the promotion of The Bureau of Environmental Protection to the Ministry of Environmental Protection fully reflects this trend,” said Li Jian. “The Chinese government strongly supports the aim of environmental certification: to encourage companies to acknowledge social duty and develop products in a sustainable way. We applaud Boston-Power for its leadership in achieving this certification. Together, we have provided a partnership model we believe other companies will follow.”

“From day one we’ve been committed to environmental responsibility in every aspect of our operations,” said Dr. Lampe-Önnerud. “CEC shares this commitment. Together we have developed a productive partnership that benefits the environment, the people of China, Boston-Power’s customers and investors, and our company itself. We gratefully accept the recognition offered by China eco-labeling, and look forward to a continued, mutually beneficial working relationship.”

Battery Power 2008- Register by May 9th and Save $500
With more than 30 technical presentations focusing on new battery designs, manufacturing techniques, battery materials and chemicals, power management, charging and testing systems, this is an event you will not want to miss. Register by May 9th and save $500 off the full registration price. Group, military and government discounts are also available, as well as one-day passes and exhibit only passes.

Whether this is your first time participating at the Battery Power conferences, or if you have attended in the past, the 2008 event will provide you with the most up-to-date developments and technologies in the battery and power management market.
What’s New for 2008
• Capital Ventures Investment Panel
• Product Demonstrations in the Exhibit Hall
• New Topics on:
            International Regulatory Issues
            Advanced Characterization Techniques
            Battery Counterfeit Prevention Technology

To view the 2008 Preliminary Program please visit - Click Here

June
9-12 - 7th International Lead Acid Batteries Conference (LABAT), Varna, Bulgaria

16-19 - NXTcomm, Las Vegas.

23-27 - The China International Battery Fair (CIBF ® ), Tianjin, China

24-27 - CableTec Expo, Philadelphia, Pa.

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

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

Advanced Capacitor World Summit 2008
July 14-16, 2008
San Diego, CA

Now in its 6th year, Advanced Capacitor World Summit 2008 will focus on the latest market opportunities and engineering trends for the electrochemical capacitor (EC) industry including supply and demand, applications, design, and new materials and manufacturing development.

Conference content at Advanced Capacitors World Summit 2008 will be devoted to helping developers, producers, and users of electrochemical capacitors assess market dynamics, emerging applications, and new methods to reduce manufacturing and deployment costs. Attendees will receive a comprehensive appraisal of global demand, manufacturing and cost hurdles, market characteristics, and applications such as public transport, automobiles, office machinery, industrial power conditioning, distributed generation, and portable electronics end uses.
FMI: please contact Mike Robert at mrobert@intertechusa.com or +1 207 781 9631

Visit - www.acw-summit.com

CTIA Wireless I.T. & Entertainment 2008
September 10-12, 2008
San Francisco, CA

CTIA WIRELESS I.T. & Entertainment 2008 is the largest wireless data event in the internet, wireless and telecommunications industries.
With a focus on wireless data applications, software development, network architecture and solutions, CTIA WIRELESS I.T. & Entertainment 2008 is where professionals across various industries see first-hand how wireless data technology is applied to a multitude of business solutions.
It’s more than just the next generation of wireless data… it’s how you use it that makes it powerful.

Don’t Miss BATTERIES 2008!
8th, 9th and 10th October
Nice Acropolis

Batteries is one of the major worldwide exhibition and conferences on power supply, with more than 400 attendees, 40 booths within a 2,000 m2 exhibit area, and 60 international experts. Batteries 2008 is the preferred venue meetings between raw materials suppliers, electronic devices suppliers, battery manufacturers, environment and recycling specialists, and battery users.
Batteries 2008 will provide the answers to your most pressing questions:
“How to bridge the gap between power needs and what the market offers today while still providing safe solutions.”
Join Batteries 2008 to make new contacts, meet them individually and form lasting partnerships!

More information: www.batteries2008.com
Contact: Richard Veyrac
+33 1 41 34 23 92
rveyrac@lepublicsysteme.fr

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