E-Report

February 2008

Battery Runtime Demystified – A Battery Power Feature Article

Battery runtime can be a mystery to some; a backup system battery's fixed runtime and life span, a mobile device's fortuitous shutoff, a car battery's limited life. Unfortunately, all good things must eventually come to an end. Luckily, many technological innovations and practices are continually working towards extending battery life by improving capacity, one of the key measurements for battery runtime. From the bottom up, battery materials, manufacturing processes, ICs and advanced technology are all currently evolving at a rapid pace to improve battery capacity. This has created a dynamic industry with increased market potentials across the globe.

Make sure your pick up the March/April issue of Battery Power Products & Technology magazine and read “Battery Runtime Demystified” by Frost & Sullivan.

EaglePicher Technologies Introduces First Implantable Medical Cell Designed Specifically for Monitoring Applications

EaglePicher Technologies, LLC, has unveiled that its Medical Power group introduced two new implantable medical batteries to the market. The two batteries, aimed at the rapidly growing implantable monitor market, provide high energy density and low entry cost. Typical applications include implantable cardiac and glucose monitors.

The two Lithium Thionyl chloride cells, available in 350 mAh and 750 mAh formats, join the EaglePicher Medical Power CONTEGO Modular Battery Line. Lithium Thionyl chloride is characterized by a high energy density and low self discharge for maximum reliability.

The cells are fully qualified for implantable applications, manufactured in the US and available immediately. The CONTEGO series of modular implantable batteries is available in a range of capacities from 500 uAh to 3.5 Ah.

New Environmentally Friendly Thin-Film Batteries Provide ''Green'' Performance

Cymbet Corp. has released its new EnerChip family of thin-film battery devices offers something unique in battery technology: environmentally friendly, "green" performance.  Environmental friendliness is a key EnerChip attribute, since the product is designed to eliminate battery replacement and last the life of the device it powers. As a solid-state device, the EnerChip is lead-free and contains no hazardous materials, flammable solvents or liquids that can harm the user or the environment, therefore eliminating or reducing some end-of-life product costs.

The EnerChip's small form factor and highly rechargeable, solid-state, thin-film advancements can be economically and reliably integrated as an embedded device or as a surface-mounted component. Cymbet's EnerChip family is well suited for applications where back-up power is needed to maintain the settings of microcontroller memories, real-time-clocks and SRAM during power loss or power failures.

All EnerChip products can be lead-free reflow soldered (260°C) using automated high-speed assembly processes, significantly reducing assembly cost. The devices offer a fast recharge time (under 30 minutes to 80 percent), are capable of greater than 5,000 charge/discharge cycles and do not suffer from the self-discharge limitations associated with super capacitors or shelf-life limitations common to chemical batteries. Currently, product is available in capacities of 12, 50 and 85 uAh.

Industrial Chargers Protect Batteries from Damage During Extended Charging

VxI Power has introduced a new range of battery chargers that have been designed for use in demanding industrial applications. As well as offering environmental protection to IP65, the BCL series chargers produce a regulated and filtered charging voltage that allows them to be connected to a battery for extended periods without overcharging or damaging the battery.

Featuring cyclic three-stage charging, the BCL units start the charging cycle at a voltage of either 14.4 V or 28.8 V, depending on model. After a preset time or current level has been reached, they automatically switch to maintenance charging at a lower voltage.

All models carry the relevant European EMC and LVD approvals. With a switching frequency of 9 kHz, the chargers exhibit very low levels of EMI, unlike many switch-mode power supplies and chargers which operate at frequencies up to 148 kHz and generate comparatively high levels of electromagnetic radiation. This is an important feature when the units are used in advanced industrial systems where control buses and sensor systems could potentially be influenced by EMI.

Operating from an input voltage of 230 VAC, the BCL series can be specified with charging currents of 6 A or 15 A for 12 V batteries or 3 A or 8 A for 24 V batteries.

Energizer Supports Troops With Donation to the USO

Energizer Battery, Inc. is helping members of our military keep their music, digital cameras and portable electronic devices running into the New Year by donating more than 38,000 AA Energizer MAX batteries to the USO.

"We appreciate this donation from Energizer," said John Hanson, senior vice president. "With this donation, the USO will continue to provide touches of home to our men and women in uniform worldwide."

The USO will distribute the donated batteries to military troops worldwide through their care package program.

For more than 66 years, the USO has provided morale-boosting programs and services to military personnel and their families. Programs include USO Operation Phone Home, Operation USO Care Package, USO entertainment tours, the Mobile USO Fleet, United Through Reading Military Program and USO CarePages. Corporate in-kind donations and sponsorships, coupled with volunteers and monetary donations, enable the USO to deliver a touch of home to troops around the world.

Johnson Controls-Saft Advanced Power Solutions to Provide Hybrid Battery System for Newest Car From Chery

Energy-conscious consumers in China will have a new hybrid option when Chery Automobile launches its new A5 ISG sedan in the latter half of 2008. Combining the advantages of fuel and electric vehicles, the new car is low in emission and fuel-consumption together with high performance. The new car will be powered by a hybrid battery system developed by Johnson Controls-Saft Advanced Power Solutions.

Chery Automobile, a major Chinese auto manufacturer, has chosen nickel metal hydride (Ni-MH) batteries from Johnson Controls-Saft for its latest vehicle. The joint venture between Johnson Controls and Saft will draw on its considerable presence worldwide for this contract. In the first phase the Ni-MH cells will be manufactured in France, development work will be carried out in the US and the battery integration will take place in China.

"As car sales continue to significantly increase in China, Johnson Controls-Saft is committed to partnering with automakers to develop fuel-efficient vehicles for consumers who want, and need, to make purchasing decisions that are good for the environment," said Mary Ann Wright, who leads the Johnson Controls-Saft joint venture and is vice president and general manager of Johnson Controls' hybrid battery business.

According to Wright, the company is developing, manufacturing and integrating advanced hybrid battery systems to provide consumers with smaller and lighter batteries, which are also more powerful, durable, safe and affordable.

Altair Nanotechnologies Completes Manufacturing of Battery Packs for Two Megawatt Battery System on Schedule

Altair Nanotechnologies, Inc. completed on schedule in December the manufacturing of battery packs to be used in a two megawatt energy storage system ordered by the AES Corp. The $1 million purchase initiated by AES was previously announced in August 2007. Altairnano expects the system to be connected to the grid and tested during the first quarter of 2008.

"This is a significant manufacturing milestone in Altairnano's battery and energy storage go-to-market strategy," said Altairnano president and CEO Alan J. Gotcher, PhD. "We believe that stationary power represents a large market opportunity for Altairnano, and are proud to be working with global power leader AES to develop these large-scale energy storage systems."

Earlier this year, AES and Altairnano announced a joint development and equipment purchase agreement related to Altairnano's battery and energy storage products. Under the terms of the agreement, the companies will jointly develop a suite of energy storage solutions specifically for AES. Altairnano is working with AES to apply these systems at strategic points within the electrical grid. The quick response time, extended life and power profile of the Altairnano batteries and energy storage products are well suited to improving performance in these areas with the potential for lower environmental impact than traditional generation solutions.

Webcom Presents Multiple Industries Patent Workshop

~ At the 2008 Magnetics Conference inDenver, Colo., May 14, 2008 ~

Half Day Workshop: Intellectual Property Issues for New Product Development

May 14, 2008 (1 p.m. to 5 p.m.) - Beverages and Course Materials Provided

The workshop will start with an overview of the various types of intellectual property, including patents, trademark, copyrights, trade secrets, non-competes and publishing. It will feature a detailed discussion of patents, including type of patents, what is patentable, patent laws and rules, the patenting process and patent strategy. Also covered will be the integration of the patenting process with the new product development process and discussion of critical patent strategy issues. It will conclude with a practical training session for writing technical disclosures for patenting purposes.

For more details about what attendees can expect to learn from this workshop visit http://www.magneticsmagazine.com/mag_conf08_workshops.htm#akc.

• Register before March 14, 2008 - $395       • Register after March 14, 2008 - $495

Register Now!
Visit http://www.magneticsmagazine.com/mag_conf08_workshop_reg.php/.

Battery Power 2008 Call for Presentations Deadline is Friday

Time is running out to submit an abstract for Battery Power 2008, the international conference dedicated to the latest technology advancements in the power industry. Being held September 4-5 in New Orleans, La, 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.

Visit the Call for Presentations page for details on submitting an abstract: http://www.batterypoweronline.com/bp08_callforpresentations.htm.

2008

February
27-29 - IWCE, Las Vegas, Nev.

March
17-20 - The 25th International Battery Seminar & Exhibit, Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

18-20 - Aviation Industry Expo, Dallas, Texas

Aviation Industry Expo
March 18-20, 2008
Dallas Convention Center
Dallas, TX                         
www.AviationIndustryExpo.com

The Premier Event for Line Services for Over a Decade!

Aviation Industry Expo is the aviation industry’s ONLY event for line services. Whether you’re charged with fueling operations, running an FBO, worried about safety and costs, or looking for the latest information on ground support techniques and equipment, this show is for you!

The event is host to the National Air Transportation Association’s (NATA) 2nd annual FBO Leadership Conference, the AMTSociety’s First-Ever Annual Aircraft Maintenance Summit, the U.S. Department of Defense Joint Panel on Aviation Support Equipment’s (JPAVSE) annual gathering, the 3rd annual Career Center and a wide variety of conferences and on-floor presentations by industry leaders.

Join us in Dallas, March 18-20, 2008, at the Dallas Convention Center. Register today for FREE ($25 value) at www.AviationIndustryExpo.com!

2008 MRS Spring Meeting
March 24-28, 2008
San Francisco, CA

The 2008 MRS Spring Meeting in San Francisco, March 24-28, offers an interdisciplinary forum for the exchange of information and ideas at the forefront of materials research. The Meeting, with almost 3,700 presentations in 42 topical symposia, represents current trends in new areas as well as established research fields. Technical sessions span leading-edge developments in: electronics, magnetics and photonics; polymers and biomaterials; energy and environment; nanomaterials, fundamentals and characterization; the business of nanotechnology; the role of lifelong education in nanoscience and engineering; and more. A large-scale exhibition, featuring over 100 international exhibitors from all sectors of the global materials science and engineering communities, is also available to all attendees.

CTIA WIRELESS
April 1-3, 2008
Las Vegas (NV) Convention Center

CTIA WIRELESS® is traditionally held in the spring and is the largest and most comprehensive trade show in the wireless industry. It is the premier venue to exchange ideas, create partnerships and collaborate to bring wireless telecommunications to new heights. 

CTIA WIRELESS® draws ten of thousands attendees from dozens of different industries from more than 100 countries around the world, serving every aspect of wireless - providers, users, developers, buyers and manufacturers in more than 400,000 square feet of exhibits representing a $500 billion global industry.

Request Information:

Are you interested in being added to our Convention’s email list? We periodically send out information regarding all the exciting things happening at the show as well as attendee and exhibitor information. Sign-Up today!

ENTELEC
April 9–11, 2008
George R. Brown Convention Center
Houston, Texas

"We're Racing to the Future" as we celebrate the 80th Anniversary of the ENTELEC Association
You're invited to join industry professionals in over 50 overs of technical papers, 200 exhibiting companies and a variety of networking events over the 3-day conference & expo. http://www.entelec.org/conference-and-expo/

Small Fuel Cells for Commercial & Military Applications
April 30 – May 2, 2008
Omni Hotel at CNN Center
Atlanta, GA
www.knowledgefoundation.com

In its 10th year, Small Fuel Cells for Commercial & Military Applications is the primary source of information for end users, developers and manufacturers of portable power devices. With a special pre-conference 1-Day Symposium on building synergy between fuel cells and lithium ion batteries, an impressive lineup of speakers from around the world, and industry leaders exhibiting the latest technologies, this year's conference is not to be missed. Just a few of the presenting organizations include: Motorola, Samsung, Sony Corporation, U.S. Army, and The U.S. Department of Energy.

Contact:
The Knowledge Foundation
Telephone: 617-232-7400
Web: http://www.knowledgefoundation.com
Email: custserv@knowledgefoundation.com

Battery Council International’s 120th Convention and Power Mart Trade Show
April 27-30, 2008
Tampa, FL

Sail ahead in the industry with the Battery Council International’s 120th Convention and Power Mart Trade Show, a showcase of cutting-edge information and networking opportunities in an industry-specific environment.  The event takes place April 27 through April 30th at the Tampa Marriott Waterside Hotel and Marina in Tampa, Florida.  Visit www.batterycouncil.org for online registration and information on registration, housing, speakers and exhibitors.  From product and technical information, environmental and regulatory concerns, to management issues and marketing forecast information, you will find a host of valuable topics at BCI’s 120th Convention.

Battcon® 2008 International Stationary Battery Conference and Trade Show
May 5 - 7, 2008
Marco Island, Florida

The Battcon Stationary Battery Conference is a three day, noncommercial, technical event for storage battery users from the power, telecom, UPS and other industries.

This well-established event brings over 450 end-users, engineers, battery and battery test equipment manufacturers, installers, and standards and safety experts together to discuss storage battery innovations and solutions for existing systems.

Presentations by users and manufacturers address everyday battery applications, technical advances, and industry concerns. A two evening trade show featuring storage power related vendors is also part of the conference.

Info: Jennifer Stryker, Albercorp, 3103 N. Andrews Ave. Ext., Pompano Beach, FL 33064. (954) 623-6660 ext 31206, or visit www.battcon.com.

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