eNewsletter

January 2010

Custom 7.4 V, 1,900 mAh Li-Ion Prismatic Battery Pack for Portable Therapeutic Equipment
GlobTek has introduced a Li-Ion Prismatic battery pack rated 7.4 V, 1,900 mAh consisting of two Panasonic CGA103450A 103450 sized cells packaged in a custom enclosure with protection and fuel gauge circuitry included. The protection circuitry is designed by GlobTek based on a Seiko S-8232AKFT-T2 control chip while the fuel gauge and management is done by TI BQ27000 based circuits. The custom frame is made of a poly carbonate/ABS mixture, custom contacts made of nickel sealed in an ET label material.

The custom battery pack has onboard protection from short circuit, over voltage, over current, under voltage, overcharge, over discharge and over temperature. The battery delivers a minimum of 80 percent of its rated capacity after the first 300 cycles.

Passive Low Frequency Interface with Battery Charge Function Enables Remotely Powered Medical,
Industrial and Consumer Products
Texas Instruments (TI) has announced the first member of a new product class featuring a passive low frequency interface (PaLFI) device designed to wirelessly supply an ultra-low-power MSP430 microcontroller (MCU) with energy to operate even if the optional battery is empty. For example, PaLFI has the ability to remotely communicate with and power implantable medical devices, making procedures less invasive. Among numerous other potential applications, the device is also being used for production chain or container tracking and end of line configuration of electronic equipment such as CD/DVD players and measurement instruments.

The TMS37157 PaLFI is priced from $3.10. The device comes in a 16-pin QFN package. The PaLFI evaluation kit eZ430-TMS37157 contains an eZ430 MSP430F1612 USB development stick, and an MSP430 target board including an MSP430F2274 plus the TMS37157 PaLFI.

Eltek Valere Brings High Efficiency Power Solution to Wireless, Central Office Networks with Modular HE Power System
Eltek Valere has brought its high efficiency (HE) technology to central office and wireless applications with the launch of the Flatpack2 High Efficiency (HE) modular power system. Wireless towers, shelters, remote switching units (RSUs) and small central offices all face increasingly complex equipment to meet bandwidth requirements for advanced network applications. The increase in power density of network equipment has required an increase in capacity of the power plant, as some shelters now require up to four times the previous needs of 150 to 300 amps. Introducing a high efficiency product is well suited to combat this situation.

The Flatpack2 HE Modular 1212U power system supports up to 1,200 amps of power with up to 80 plug-in breaker/TPS fuse positions. The addition of a 24 V to -48 V converter shelf allows the system to support all wireless voltage applications while providing 120 amps of -48 V capacity to a customer configurable quantity of loads.  A low voltage load disconnect feature extends back up battery power during an outage by automatically disconnecting low priority systems until power is restored.

The Flatpack2 HE Modular 1208U power system is also configurable for up to 1,200 amps of power, but with 48 plug-in breakers or TPS fuse positions.  It also allows for dual voltage operation through use of the same 24 to -48 V converter shelf, which is capable of providing up to 120 amps of -48 V capacity and up to seven breaker positions.  A low voltage battery disconnect feature allows for the customer to protect equipment from low voltage conditions during an extended power outage.

Duracell Automotive Batteries Powers 2010 Numerals at Times Square, NY
For the second consecutive year, Duracell automotive batteries, made by East Penn, powered a special project at Times Square, New York City. At midnight on New Year’s Eve, 40 of these batteries provided extreme power to the hundreds of light bulbs that illuminate the 2010 numerals.

Human power is actually charging these automotive Duracell batteries to light the 2010 numerals. People are pedaling “Power Rovers” near Times Square that are hooked directly to the batteries. The battery’s sophisticated AGM design recharges more efficiently, making the most out of human power or any other power put into the battery. Once fully charged and closer to New Year’s, the batteries moved to the spot where they provided the service of lighting the 2010 numerals.

Sandia researcher Pete Roth examines a lithium-ion battery before dismantling it for testing in the chamber behind him. (Photo by Randy Montoya)

OM Group to Acquire Advanced Battery Manufacturer EaglePicher Technologies, LLC for $171.9 Million
OM Group, Inc. has signed a definitive agreement to purchase EaglePicher Technologies LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of EaglePicher Corp. for $171.9 million.

Based in Joplin, MO, EaglePicher is a provider in designing and manufacturing batteries, battery management systems and energetic devices for the defense, aerospace and medical industries. For more than 50 years, the company has provided a broad product line of technically differentiated, high-performance products and solutions to industry leading corporations. EaglePicher is also actively pursuing opportunities that would leverage its advanced power storage technologies to serve the rapidly growing alternative energy market.

In fiscal year 2009, EaglePicher recorded revenues of approximately $125 million, of which approximately 60 percent came from its defense business, approximately 31 percent from its aerospace business and the balance from its medical and other businesses.
"The proposed acquisition of EaglePicher is a logical extension of our portable power platform and is another excellent example of the type of acquisition we seek to transform our business model," said Joseph M. Scaminace, OM Group's chairman and CEO. "Similar to the enhanced market position we've created for OMG in other key segments through our transformation strategy, we believe EaglePicher will provide us a strong and profitable base from which we can accelerate our growth in battery materials."

According to Scaminace, "As we went through our deliberate evaluation process, there were several critical factors that clearly established EaglePicher as a priority, including its recognized leadership position in profitable, established end markets; its strong and enduring customer relationships; and its broad R&D and technical expertise in sophisticated battery systems and a wide range of battery chemistries that will allow it to pursue emerging, high-growth markets.”

The proposed transaction, which is subject to customary closing conditions, is expected to close by the middle of the first quarter of 2010. The transaction will be funded by OMG's existing cash and credit facility.

EnerSys' Investment in Altergy Systems Expands Collaboration to Bring Green Standby Power Technology to Market
EnerSys has invested an undisclosed amount in Altergy Systems, the developer and manufacturer of Freedom Power series of advanced fuel cell systems. EnerSys and Altergy also agreed to an expanded joint sales and development activity. Under this expanded commercial alliance, EnerSys will be the exclusive distributor of the Extended Run Time Solution standby power system to certain markets and regions, including both telecommunications and uninterruptable power supplies.

"We see increasing customer demand for hybrid system applications. Our investment in Altergy Systems enables us to offer Extended Run Time Solution technology as an alternative to diesel generators," said John Craig, chairman, president and CEO of EnerSys. "We expect that this investment will create a revenue stream for EnerSys with the opportunity to supply the new hybrid markets, complement existing offerings and provide new opportunities for our service offerings."

Hybrid systems, which may apply a combination of fuel-cell, wind and/or solar power, cause no carbon emissions and very low levels of noise, making them a desirable alternative to diesel-powered standby generators for operations located in or near residential areas. They also support equipment that runs continually where the power grid is unreliable or nonexistent. These systems use batteries to bridge power.

The Extended Run Time Solution combines EnerSys' PowerSafe batteries and Altergy's proprietary Freedom Power hydrogen fuel-cells. This combination of SBS EON thin plate pure lead battery technology and Altergy's  fuel cells and high speed, automated manufacturing capability can be programmed and monitored fully from remote locations. With one of the highest power densities in the industry, it also offers the smallest footprint of all standby power systems available to the telecommunications industry.

Tell Battery Power Magazine About Your Energy Efficiency Initiatives
Going Green is part of the new business model. Not only is it good for the environment, but it can reduce expenses. Battery Power magazine wants to hear how your company is making strides in energy efficiency, from energy saving products that you are manufacturing to energy efficiency efforts being integrated into your products or facilities. Case studies will be featured in an upcoming issue of Battery Power magazine. E-mail Shannon Given with your energy efficiency initiatives.

Battery Power 2010 – Call for Presentations
The Battery Power 2010 conference committee is currently accepting abstracts. Being held October 19-20 in Dallas, Texas, the 2010 event will explore the important topics impacting battery power technology from design issues in battery packs and emerging charging technologies to predicting battery failure and battery hybrid technologies. Other topics include cell design and manufacturing, power management, testing, materials, market trends and end-user requirements for new applications. Presentations will cover the portable/mobile, automotive/EV and stationary/onsite power markets.

With more than 500 attendees, the conference provides an excellent forum to discuss new developments in technology, market conditions and end-user requirements that are driving innovation, capabilities and features, application trends and performance improvements today and in the future. Attendees will include top executives, technical managers and engineering professionals from original equipment manufacturers, system developers and integrators, dealers and component providers.

There are a limited number of speaking slots in each track, so it is imperative that you submit an abstract before the deadline of February 9th, 2010.

Here are some topics we are looking for:
• Upcoming and Emerging Technologies
• Battery Market Trends
• Regulatory Issues
• Current and Future Battery Cost and Performance
• Emerging Battery Technology
• "Green" Battery Systems
• Battery/Fuel Cell Hybrid Technology
• Power Management
• Nano Materials
• Charging Efficiency

For details on submitting an abstract, please visit the Call for Presentations page.

February

2-5 - 1st European Advanced Automotive Battery Conference, Mainz, Germany

March

3-5 - 1st International Rechargeable Expo Battery Japan, Tokyo, Japan

15-18 - The 27th International Battery Seminar & Exhibit, Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

APEC 2010
February 21-25, 2010
Palm Springs, Calif.

As The Premier Event in Applied Power Electronics, APEC focuses on the practical and applied aspects of the power electronics business. This is not just a designer's conference, APEC has something of interest for anyone involved in power electronics:

• Equipment OEMs that use power supplies and dc-dc converters in their equipment
• Designers of power supplies, dc-dc converters, motor drives, uninterruptable power supplies, inverters and any other power electronic circuits, equipments and systems
• Manufacturers and suppliers of components and assemblies used in power electronics
• Manufacturing, quality and test engineers involved with power electronics equipment
• Marketing, sales and anyone involved in the business of power electronics
• Compliance engineers testing and qualifying power electronics equipment or equipment that uses power electronics.

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