E-Report

November 2007

La Marche Mfg. Co. Introduces the New A75DE Microprocessor

La Marche Mfg. Co. introduces the new A75DE microprocessor based SCR battery charger for use in the Utility Float market. This Filtered/Eliminator charger offers front panel indications which include various local and remote monitoring. The charger is designed to provide value and an economical solution with exceptional performance and reliability. The two line LCD simultaneously displays both voltage and current along with any alarms present. With increasing demand for remote monitoring, the A75DE offers DNP3/MODBUS protocols which can be easily integrated into many SCADA systems on the market. For custom design units, please consult the La Marche Sales and Design team at (847) 299-1188.

Powerex IMEDION Batteries

Maha Energy, the maker of Powerex batteries and chargers, has introduced a new line of rechargeable batteries called IMEDION. Unlike traditional NiMH batteries, IMEDION can be stored for an extended period of time without substantial loss of power and are ready to use out-of-package. As the name suggests, the IMEDION batteries will be “ready when you are.”

A common problem that plagues rechargeable batteries is that they need to be recharged about once every one to three month even if they are not used. Maha tackled this issue by developing advanced electrode materials to reduce the rate of power loss during storage. As a result, the IMEDION batteries retain up to 85 percent of its charge even after one year of storage (at a room temperature of 20°C). The IMEDION batteries can be recharged for hundreds of times and perform well at elevated temperatures. In addition, the IMEDIONS feature a low-impedance design and can deliver a high burst of current. The IMEDION batteries are fully compatible with all Powerex chargers and are available in 2,100 mAh capacity for AA size and 800 mAh for AAA.

AMETEK Specialty Metal Products is now producing high purity nickel and nickel-iron alloy strip for tabs, terminals and contacts of rechargeable batteries and electronics components. This new high performance material, made by wrought powder metallurgy, delivers high conductivity and is able to be formed, welded, soldered or plated than traditional melt and cast materials. AMETEK's high purity nickel strip provides high conductivity, making the product well suited for cathode ray tubes, resistors, rechargeable battery tabs, terminals and contacts.

Digatron / Firing Circuits Offers IGBT Battery Simulators for Use with HEV Test Stands Incorporating Electric Drives

If an automotive test stand includes electric drives, the on-board frequency converter is typically powered by a fuel cell, super capacitors, an HEV battery or a combination. It is characteristic of these devices that the voltage output varies depending on load and will probably decay over time which will have a direct influence on the performance of the component to be tested. This makes it very difficult to accurately repeat test conditions required to measure and confirm the effect of changes implemented.

Furthermore, HEV batteries must be maintained and require considerable infrastructure. Depending on the specification and performance requirements of the vehicle electrical system, a variety of HEV battery types must be readily available and properly conditioned. Additional HEV batteries should be available for use to avoid test time lost during the recharge process.

Traditional power supplies cannot be used since they cannot duplicate the specific output characteristics and do not accept energy regenerated through recuperative braking.

Digatron / Firing Circuits has developed an IGBT Battery Simulator, which eliminates the need for batteries when testing Electric Drives. The constant voltage DC output is freely programmable and the Battery Simulator can reproduce the characteristic curve of any HEV battery at any SOC. A battery library stores an unlimited number of battery output characteristics for recall and use in Electric Drive testing.

SmartSpark Energy Systems Secures Series A Financing from Battery Ventures

SmartSpark Energy Systems, a power electronics company, has secured Series A financing from Battery Ventures. SmartSpark is based on patented technologies licensed from the University of Illinois. Battery Ventures Partner Jason Matlof joins the company’s Board of Directors in conjunction with the funding.

SmartSpark develops products that support the efficient transformation of power used in renewable energy technologies. The company’s goal is to facilitate the mainstream adoption of green technologies by making them safer, less complex, more efficient and more durable. SmartSpark will utilize this early financing to develop its SolarBridge product line, which seeks to increase the adoption of solar power by lowering the cost and increasing the reliability of one of the most critical components of a solar power system - the inverter. An inverter is used to convert the DC power generated by solar panels to AC power required for consumption in homes and businesses.

“The long-term growth prospects for the solar market are clear, but it’s also clear that we need to see the cost and complexity of overall systems come down if they are to be widely adopted,” said Matlof. “This is an exciting investment because we believe SmartSpark has the potential to change the economics of solar with technology to reduce the cost and increase the reliability and output of solar installations.”

Rick Krein, SmartSpark’s President and CEO, said, “We are looking forward to working closely with Battery as we continue to commercialize and expand our technology base. Their management expertise, industry contacts and operational knowledge in the solar, clean tech and semiconductor markets will help accelerate our growth.”

Texas Instruments (TI), Inc. has acquired POWERPRECISE Solutions, Inc., a fabless portable power management integrated circuit solutions company. The acquisition combines POWERPRECISE technologies, design expertise and products with TI's extensive analog and power management portfolio. Acquiring POWERPRECISE allows TI to accelerate development of battery and power management ICs for consumer, automotive, medical, computing and industrial applications, such as robotics, power tools, electric bicycles, as well as large battery systems, such as those used in hybrid-electric vehicles (HEVs) and uninterruptible power supply (UPS) systems.

“Designers continue to demand innovative power management solutions to address complex battery power challenges,” said Dave Heacock, senior vice president of TI’s high-volume analog business. “Adding POWERPRECISE’s products and expertise expands our large portfolio of complete battery management ICs that support a range of end applications from portable media players to power drills to automotive designs.”

Gary Davison, founder, CEO and president of POWERPRECISE, said, “This acquisition is a tremendous opportunity for us to add key talent, technology and product streams to TI’s wide-reaching power management business. By taking advantage of advanced silicon processes, we will provide innovative technology that will help customers drive performance and value, and differentiate their products.”

According to a newly released report from NanoMarkets, the value of the thin-film and printed battery market will reach $5.6 billion by 2015. The report, "Thin Film and Printed Battery Markets" is the next in NanoMarkets ongoing series that covers the emerging markets for thin film, organic and printable electronics.

According to NanoMarkets' new report, thin-film and printed batteries with their customizable shapes, flexible form factors and ultra-low weight are enabling new functionality to be added to a broad range of electronic products, such as smartcards, RFID and sensors both increasing their usefulness and the size of their addressable markets. While many of the players in this space are smaller firms, several big name firms including Air Products, Dow Chemical, Intel, and NEC have invested in this space underscoring its strategic importance.

This technology segment is also one where volume is everything both in terms of manufacturability and sales prospects. Thin film and printable batteries can be delivered at attractive price points when produced in significant quantities and with the right processes. For technologies such as RFID, sensors, smart cards and medical devices that are also high volume and cost sensitive, the ability for manufacturers to add cheap power sources is crucial. When you also factor in the ability for these batteries to extend these applications beyond their current usage, battery manufacturers can create a winning proposition for their customers.

In terms of market potential, NanoMarkets report projects that the thin film and printed battery markets will be driven primarily RFID which by 2015 will generate $4.6 billion revenues, smart cards which will generate $346 million in revenues and sensors that will create $434 million in revenues.

The NanoMarkets study predicts that printing will have a growing role in the next generation of smart batteries resulting in the growth in demand for zinc manganese dioxide or carbon zinc inks. The study also predicts that there will be a growing number of alternatives for the dominant LiPON electrolytes, with improved conductivity and thermal properties. While thin-film batteries using conventional lithium-based materials will remain the dominant factor, non lithium battery revenues will grow to $2.5 billion by 2015.

Battery Power 2008, September 4-5 in New Orleans, La.,
is currently accepting presentation abstracts. The 2008 event will explore the important topics impacting the battery industry from design issues in battery packs and emerging charging technologies to predicting battery failure and battery hybrid technologies.

There will be 40 presentations broken down into five separate tracks. Space in each track is limited, so it is imperative to submit abstracts by February 8th.

Battery Power 2008 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.

For more information on submitting an abstract contact Shannon Given, program manager, 720-528-3770 or shannong@infowebcom.com or visit http://www.batterypoweronline.com/bp08_callforpresentations.htm.

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