eNewsletter

May 2010

Midtronics Introduces Battery Analyzer for Hybrid Vehicles
Midtronics has released their new HYB-1000 Hybrid Battery System Analyzer. The HYB will allow more shops to get into the Hybrid service business or improve customer service where Hybrid service opportunities already exist.

The HYB Hybrid Battery System Analyzer offers technicians a safe, one-person test, and the opportunity to perform a battery pack diagnostic routine while driving the vehicle. The HYB communicates to the vehicle on-board diagnostic system using a wireless convergence module, which allows it to read the battery cell, block and pack parameters, while under the stress of an accelerated Hybrid drive test. This process allows the HYB to assess the battery pack state of health in terms of conductance, which is related to Hybrid battery performance.

If the pack is getting weak or weak cells or modules are found, the vehicle owner will need to get the pack serviced or replaced to avoid continued deterioration and potential vehicle performance issues.

In addition to the drive test, the HYB can also read and reset standard and hybrid-specific diagnostic trouble codes, which allows technicians to perform simple functions quickly without having to monopolize their other complete diagnostic systems.

Exide Technologies Introduces Energy Efficient Exide High Frequency Series Industrial Charger
Exide Technologies has launched the new Exide High Frequency (EHF) series industrial charger, a multi-profile range for standard-flooded, low-maintenance-flooded and valve-regulated lead-acid (VRLA) motive power batteries.

The new EHF series charger line, with models ranging from 24 V to 80 V, is designed with a number of environmentally-advanced elements that contribute to a reduced carbon footprint because of an energy-efficiency design. The charger uses less electricity resulting in increased utility savings, a higher power factor (the percentage of electricity that is delivered and used effectively) and efficiency optimization, all which help customers use batteries to their maximum potential in conventional motive power applications.

The EHF series chargers offer greater efficiency of power conversion, as compared to chargers that incorporate Ferroresonant and SCR technologies, leading to reduced power consumption and energy costs.

Reduced maximum input currents allow for reduced circuit breaker, cabling and distribution equipment sizes. The charger also ensures that the charging current and voltage remain constant during any mains fluctuations, guaranteeing a constant and optimized charge. End-of-charge on the EHF models is detected by the change in voltage over the change in time measure (dV/dt) to avoid risk of undercharge or overcharge. As a result, the EHF industrial chargers boast an efficiency rating of up to 92 percent: approximately 15 to 23 percent more efficient than other charging technologies.

A number of advanced technological features make the EHF series well suited for the continuously evolving needs of today's motive power market. The chargers use fourth generation MOSFET technology and Zero Volt Switching that provides greater power conversion efficiency. The EHF charger utilizes a space-saving Planar Transformer design, which allows for reductions in size and weight and efficient cooling. A sturdy steel cabinet with a powder coat finish adds to the durability of the EHF charger models that are designed for rack and wall mounting.

Switch-Mode Chargers with JEITA-Compliant Battery-Temperature Monitoring for Mobile Devices
Maxim Integrated Products has introduced the MAX8900A/MAX8900B switch-mode DC-DC chargers with JEITA-compliant battery-temperature monitoring for safely charging 1-cell lithium-ion (Li+) or lithium-polymer (Li-Poly) batteries. These are the first chargers to integrate ±20 V overvoltage protection, which allows them to provide added safety and reliability without external switches. The MAX8900A/MAX8900B operate at a high switching frequency of 3.25 MHz to allow the use of tiny external components. They deliver up to 1.2 A of charge current to the battery from 3.4 V to 6.3 V (MAX8900A) or 3.4 V to 8.7 V (MAX8900B) without generating excessive heat. Low heat and small solution size make these chargers ideal for space-constrained portable devices such as smartphones, Bluetooth headsets, portable media players (PMPs), and mobile Internet devices (MIDs).

The maximum charge current for MAX8900A/MAX8900B can be programmed from 50 mA to 1,200 mA using a small external resistor. Other charger parameters, such as the safety timer and prequalification current, are also adjustable to provide maximum flexibility for system designers to meet their application requirements.

The MAX8900A/MAX8900B are available in a 2.44 mm by 2.67 mm by 0.64 mm, 40-bump wafer-level package (WLP) with a 0.4 mm pitch, and are fully specified over the -40°C to 85°C extended temperature range. Prices start at $1.65 (1,000-up, FOB USA).

AmeriLithium Receives Second Draw Down on $10 Million Finance Agreement to Accelerate Exploration
AmeriLithium has received its second draw down from its $10 million finance agreement on April 29, 2010 to accelerate the company's ongoing US exploration program on its Paymaster Project in Nevada.

The first phase of a three-phase exploration program on the Paymaster asset is currently about to conclude: a gravity survey over the claim area to determine the depth of the basin and define areas of maximum potential for lithium brine concentrations. The second exploration phase includes completing a 2D seismic survey over the claim block to delineate the depth and thickness of the Lithium rich layers. If results from the gravity and seismic surveys are successful, the third phase would be recommended: a drill program to define reserves and establish the grade of lithium mineralization within the delineated basins that contain anomalous amounts of lithium.

AmeriLithium's Paymaster Project represents a 5,880-acre claim block adjacent to the Clayton Valley playa, where lithium-rich brines and evaporates have been accumulating for more than 30,000 years, resulting in the highest lithium content found in any brines tested by the US Geological Survey (USGS) in southwestern US playas and basins.

Lithium deposits are currently mined to the immediate south of AmeriLithium's Paymaster Project in Clayton Valley via an environment-friendly and economic solution-mining technique, pumping brines from aquifers only a few hundred meters beneath the valley. Such subsurface brines currently represent the dominant raw material for lithium carbonate production worldwide due to the lower production costs when compared with hard-rock ore mining and processing.

International Battery Closes Series C Financing Round
International Battery (IB), a manufacturer of large-format, rechargeable lithium-ion cells, batteries, and systems, has closed its $35 million Series C financing round, led by Digital Power Capital, an affiliate of Wexford Capital LP. The new investment will allow the company to continue to scale up its existing manufacturing plant in Allentown, Penn., and will support expanded efforts and staffing in sales and engineering, as well as new product development.

International Battery’s proprietary large-format, prismatic lithium-ion technology allows it to offer customers innovative battery system solutions. The company's products are used in a variety of stationary (including electric utility/smart grid), transportation and military applications. In addition, the company’s water-based manufacturing process avoids the use of toxic solvents, which are standard in lithium battery manufacturing today.

“This infusion of capital will allow International Battery to pursue its focused expansion goals, while continuing to provide its customers with the leading large-format lithium-ion technology available in the market today,” said International Battery president and CEO Dr. Ake Almgren.

FIAMM Bringing Alternative Energy Sodium Batteries to North America
FIAMM, one of the world’s largest battery manufacturers, and Switzerland-based MES-DEA, a global producer of sodium-nickel-chloride batteries, have partnered to create a new company called FZ Sonick that will manufacture and market alternative energy storage solutions throughout the world. This highly reliable storage technology is available for immediate deployment.

Currently, MES-DEA sells advanced battery technology under the ZEBRA brand for use in electric vehicles. A version of the ZEBRA batteries is scheduled to power the first electric vehicle fleet of the European postal service. The new company’s SONICK-branded sodium-nickel-chloride product portfolio will improve energy storage in wireless cell sites, telecom data centers, uninterruptible power supplies, wheelchairs, busses, trains and electric utility SmartGrid applications, among others.

The SONICK advanced battery technology delivers increased capacity, longer lifecycle, zero emissions, low-cost raw materials, enhanced safety and high energy density that reduces the battery size and weight compared to lithium ion and lead acid batteries, according to Nicola Cosciani, FIAMM’s director of strategic development and FZ Sonick’s new managing co-director.

“A number of battery-dependent industries have been looking for an alternative energy storage solution that is both environmentally friendly and efficient,” said Cosciani. “Through this partnership, FIAMM is now able to offer a unique solution in the form of the SONICK batteries that are a clean and renewable energy. They are durable and reliable, and can be recycled completely because of their composition of salt and nickel.”

Based on projected market demand for energy storage solutions, FZ Sonick plans to increase annual production to 170 MW from the 90 MW level recently achieved by MES-DEA. The company is evaluating additional manufacturing capacity for this advanced battery technology in North America, Cosciani noted.

FZ Sonick will be headquartered in Stabio, Switzerland where MES-DEA currently operates its manufacturing facility with a staff of 190 employees. Research and development efforts will take place at FIAMM’s headquarters in Italy. As part of the financial terms of the partnership, FZ Sonick purchased all patents, intellectual property and manufacturing equipment that were previously owned by MES-DEA.

Sion Power Receives ARPA-E Grant to Develop Batteries for Electric Vehicles
Sion Power Corp. has received a three-year research grant worth up to $5 million from the US Department of Energy Advanced Research Projects Agency - Energy (ARPA-E). Under this program, Sion Power, in collaboration with BASF, Lawrence Berkeley National Lab and Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, will accelerate the development of practical, economical and safe lithium-sulfur (Li-S) batteries for powering electric vehicles more than 300 miles between charges.

Li-S chemistry offers the highest energy potential of any two solid elements with more than twice the energy capacity of lithium ion technology at half the weight. This grant will fund a four-way collaboration coupling Sion Power’s patented materials and process technologies with expertise provided by national laboratories and the world’s largest chemical company, BASF, to expedite commercial success.

According to Sion Power’s CEO, Dr. Dennis Mangino, “We believe this ARPA-E grant is a strong vote of confidence in the future of our advantaged Li-S rechargeable battery technology. There is no other known commercial technology that will be able to match the electric vehicle driving performance enabled by Li-S batteries once the hurdles of cycle life and safety are overcome. This grant will allow us to accelerate that reality.”

Performance targets for this program are to exceed 500 Wh/kg and 500 cycles at commercially viable recharge rates. By 2016, the goal is to produce a cell with 600 Wh/kg and 1,000 cycles. While the energy potential of Li-S is well known, Sion Power has established proprietary and patented materials and methods for protecting the lithium metal anode which differentiates its approach from all other known Li-S research efforts. These advances directly improve cycle life and safety while allowing higher energy capacities to be achieved. Sion Power batteries contain no heavy metals and are environmentally preferred over other technologies.

All major automotive manufacturers are vigorously pursuing the introduction of hybrids, plug-in hybrids and/or all-electric vehicles that provide the range and comfort consumers have come to expect in automobiles. Sion Power’s focus is to be the first rechargeable battery company to develop battery technology that can safely and affordably meet these expectations. Sion Power believes that by utilizing Li-S technology, a battery pack weighing less than 700 lbs can power a 3,500 lb five-passenger vehicle more than 300 miles.

Click Here to Download a PDF version of the Brochure

Battery Power 2010 – Advancements in Materials and R&D to Integration and End-User Requirements
Battery Power 2010, an international conference highlighting the latest developments and technologies in the battery industry, will be held October 19-20 in Dallas, Texas.

This eighth annual event will feature more than 35 presentations on portable, stationary and automotive battery technology, as well as battery manufacturing, materials and research & development. Topics will include new battery designs, emerging technologies, battery materials, power management, charging and testing systems, battery health, as well as the latest market trends affecting the industry.
The conference is designed for OEM design engineers, system engineers, technical and management professionals involved in battery powered products and systems, battery manufacturing, battery technology research and development and power management technology.

Register Today for Individual and Team Discounts

Sessions include:

The Battery Industry’s Role in US Economic Recovery Panel • EnerG2 • Additional Panelists to be Announced

US Battery Manufacturing Update Panel • Sakti3 • Additional Panelists to be Announced

Battery Projects and Developments in Government Laboratories Panel • Argonne National Lab • Oak Ridge National Lab • Additional Panelists to be Announced

Changing Global Regulatory Requirements for Battery Powered Consumer Electronics • TÜV SÜD America, Inc.

The Cost of Safety, Designing for Safety and the Changing Li-Ion Battery Pack Regulatory Requirements • Palladium Energy

Making the Transition to Li-Ion and Qualifying the Right Li-Ion Cell Technology for Your Large Format Battery Application • Nexergy

Battery Performance and Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicles and Other Electric Vehicle Adoption • Navigant Consulting, Inc.

Using Lithium Polymer Batteries in Commercial Devices • Micro Power Electronics, Inc.

Overcoming Battery Pack Design Issues • Boston-Power

Design Advantages and Comparisons of Large Format Li-Ion Batteries • International Battery, Inc.     

High Efficiency and High Safety LiFePO4 Battery Charger System for Industrial and Medical Applications • Texas Instruments, Inc.

A Simple Topology for Solar-Charged Battery Systems • Microchip Technology Inc.

Commercial Applications of Lithium Titanate Batteries for Mass Transit • Altairnano

Deciphering Cell Variations in Battery Manufacturing • Hawaii Natural Energy Institute

Nanotechnology Manufacturing Techniques for More Efficient Lithium Ion Batteries  • NETZSCH-CONDUX

New Advances in Li-Ion Battery Monitoring • Cadex Electronics, Inc.

Ready for the Grid: How Battery Storage will Support Renewable Energy and the Smart Grid • Electric Power Research Institute

Upscaling New Battery Technologies from Lab to Fab • Coatema Coating Machinery GmbH

Datacenter Trends Creates Sweetspot for Entry of New Materials • Dell, Inc.

Embedded Energy for Pure Power Solutions • Cymbet Corp.

Safer Li-Ion Battery Design and Development Using Thermal Analysis and Adiabatic Calorimetry • Netzsch Instruments North America LLC

Analyzing the Role of New Battery Technologies in Hybrid Power Systems with High Penetrations of Renewable Power • HOMER Energy, LLC

Battery System Integration, Energy Management and Testing • Ricardo, Inc.

Li-Ion Myth-Buster • Elithion

Advancement of Ultrasonic Metal Weld Tooling for Battery Applications • Edison Welding Institute

Sodium Metal Halide Batteries for Stationary Applications • General Electric

The Evolution of Li-Ion Safety Testing Since the Laptop Battery Recalls of 2006 • Underwriters Laboratories

Energy Policy in a Battery Charger World • Ecos

June

5-10 - INTELLEC 2010, Orlando, Fla.

24-26 - CIBF2010 (9th Annual China International Battery Fair), Shenzhen, China

September

21-24 - 12th European Lead Battery Conference, Istanbul, Turkey

29-1 - Batteries 2010, French Riviera

October

19-20 - Battery Power 2010, Dallas Texas

INTELEC 2010
June 6-10
Orlando, Fla.

INTELEC 2010 will be held June 6 - 10, 2010 at the brand new Hilton Bonnet Creek Resort in Orlando, Florida.  This year’s theme is “Energy doesn’t just mean telephony anymore.”

In light of the theme, a broad agenda covering all areas of communications and energy use is scheduled including technical papers and interactive panel sessions which will provide you detailed insight and information into the latest trends in communications energy systems.  There are also several technical tutorial sessions that provide additional expertise to attendees which offer continuing education units (CEU’s).

A concurrent exhibition will feature industry leaders that will display the latest energy systems and related equipment designed to support communications.

Register online now at www.intelec.org.

Sensors Expo & Conference
June 7-9
Rosemont, Ill.

For 24 Years, Sensors Expo & Conference Has Been the Leading Industry Event Focusing Exclusively on Sensors & Sensor-Integrated Systems! The in-depth conference program features the world's leading authorities, in a carefully designed program, including topics such as: Energy Harvesting, Wireless Networking, Low-Power Sensing, Bio-Sensing, MEMS & MCUs, Monitoring Tools & Applications, Novel Approaches to Measurement, Power/Smart Grid Monitoring & Control, and more!  PLUS – save months of time researching, by examining solutions to your toughest sensing challenges from best-in-class vendors on the Expo floor!  Whether you're looking to find the latest sensing solutions, evaluate emerging standards, find and compare suppliers, or solve new design challenges, you can't afford to miss Sensors Expo & Conference! 

Visit www.sensorsexpo.com for details!

NSTI Nanotech 2010
June 21-24
Anaheim, Calif.

NSTI Nanotech 2010 is the largest international annual nanotechnology & small tech community conference worldwide, and attracts the most targeted, influential and qualified attendees. The conference no longer exclusively focuses only on scientists and researchers, although sharing research and developments remains a cornerstone of the conference. Nanotech now reaches out to investors, venture capitalists and business executives interested in how nanotechnology can drive business in the 21st century. Any company with a product or service associated with these technologies and solutions is encouraged to exhibit. NSTI Nanotech 2010 is expected to sell out. Don't miss the most important event of the year by reserving your space today.  Please contact Denise Lee, 203-245-4201 or email at dlee@nsti.org.

Storage Week 2010
July 12-15
San Diego, Calif.

Infocast will hold their 3rd Annual Edition of Storage Week at the Rancho Bernardo Inn in San Diego, July 12-15, 2010.  This popular event provides four separate meetings in one, featuring more than  85 key leaders from across the energy storage spectrum led by Keynote Speakers, Terry Boston, the CEO of PJM Interconnection and Phillip Harris, the CEO of Tres Amigas, LLC.  The four integrated meetings of Storage Week 2010 consist of:

Community Energy Storage (July 12 – AM Session)
Making the Business Case for Grid-Scale Storage Projects (July 12 – PM Session)
The Energy Storage Summit – Policy, Opportunities & Economics (July 13 & 14)
The Technology & Investment Showcase (July 15)

The 3rd Annual STORAGE WEEK promises to be the Business Event of the Year for the Energy Storage Community.  For more information or to register, please visit www.infocastinc.com/storage10.

CTIA Enterprise & Applications 2010 Conference and Exposition
October 6–8, 2010
San Francisco, Calif.

Fifteen years ago, CTIA launched Wireless I.T. to educate and drive wireless data deployments within the enterprise. Along the way, the show has nurtured every piece of the ecosystem and has been a proud contributor to the fulfillment of the Mobile Business vision. As we enter the Mobile Decade, this event becomes more relevant, more vital than ever. CTIA Enterprise & Applications 2010 is focused on the integration and usage of wireless technology in any business or vertical industry such as enterprise, media, content, health, energy, retail and transportation. We invite you to join the Mobile Business revolution. Come learn, network and succeed with CTIA Enterprise & Applications!  Register Now! 

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