eNewsletter

December 2009

Custom 7.4 Volt 1,900 mAh Li-Ion Prismatic Battery Pack for Portable Therapeutic Equipment
GlobTek has introduced latest member of it’s custom battery pack product offering: 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, and finally sealed in an ET label material. The battery pack has onboard protection from short circuit, over voltage, over current, under voltage, overcharge, over discharge and over temperature. The battery will deliver a minimum of 80 percent of its rated capacity after the first 300 cycles.

USB Sleep-and-Charge Solution for Notebook and Mobile Device Chargers
Pericom Semiconductor Corp. has released its USB sleep-and-charge solution for notebooks and third party dedicated chargers for mobile devices. The PowerNap technology allows the user to quickly connect and charge USB-enabled handheld mobile devices without waking up the PC, and is also known as “sleep-and-charge” functionality. Pericom’s PI5USB56 all-in-one USB PowerNap controller is the first of the PI5USB5X series with auto-detection and auto-switching support for mobile device charging. System designers do not need to consider any software intervention requirements, since the IC supports automatic detection and switching.

LEM Announces Sentinel III Portfolio of Comprehensive Battery Monitoring Components
LEM S.A. has introduced the Sentinel III, an advanced set of components for a battery monitoring solution that addresses the needs of uninterruptible power supplies (UPS) and battery provider OEMs, as well value-added resellers (VARs) and systems integrators. Sentinel III components are used to create a simple to install and intuitive solution for continuous battery monitoring within mission critical installations such as hospitals, airports and datacenters.

The Sentinel solution combines transducers, data loggers and software components to create a comprehensive, yet simple and cost effective, standby battery monitoring solution (SBM). In order to extend the functionality of its existing Sentinel, LEM has developed the S-BOX, an advanced data logger featuring an embedded Web server that enables administrators to monitor installations remotely.  The S-BOX measurement and data logging features include Bloc, string and battery voltage measurement, Bloc temperature and impedance measurement, discharge performance and discharge/charge current. The S-BOX also measures ambient temperature, a key factor affecting battery life.

The new Sentinel transducer is designed to reduce installation time, offering DIN-rail mounting and an external temperature patch. Users can set up an alarm for each of the parameters measured by the transducers connected to the S-BOX. As well as instant alarms the S-BOX can also provide a weekly report to the administrator, containing all daily measurements and critical system information.

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 7 breaker positions.  A low voltage battery disconnect feature allows for the customer to protect equipment from low voltage conditions during an extended power outage.

New Lithium Battery Gliders for 10 mm to 24 mm Cells
MPD has introduced a new category of battery holders for lithium coin cell batteries. Gliders are a hybrid type combining the low cost of retainers with higher reliability than regular coin cell battery holders.  They are particularly suitable for hand-held consumer and medical products, electronic cards, electronic toll tags, single-use devices, alarm systems, main boards, PND’s and RFID. 

Gliders are available immediately in 20 styles ranging from 10 mm diameter (CR1025) to 24 mm diameter (CR2430).  Versions that hold two batteries in series for 6 volt applications are also included in the product launch. With versions available with either printed circuit pins or SMD leads, most layouts are accommodated.

The retainer is made of nickel-plated phosphor bronze and has pressure contacts that offer low electrical resistance and are optimized to keep a tight connection with the battery. The battery is easily changed without tools or instructions due to the intuitive design.

Built-in circuit protection eliminates the drawbacks associated with standard coin cell battery holders as the holder prevents an electrical connection by the battery when upside down. The ultra light weight plastic body has a physical feature for reverse polarity protection.

ExxonMobil Affiliate and Toray Industries Agree to Form Global Battery Separator Film Joint Venture
ExxonMobil Chemical’s affiliate TonenGeneral and Toray Industries have agreed to establish a global joint venture for the battery separator film business. It will develop, manufacture and sell lithium ion battery (LIB) separator film and introduce next-generation films to the market.

The joint venture will combine Toray’s plastic film processing and polymer science capabilities with Tonen’s existing lithium ion battery separator film business and technology. It will build on ExxonMobil’s more than 20 years of experience and success in providing separator films, including for use in the personal electronics market, as well as support the development of future LIB applications in hybrid-electric and electric vehicles.

“We believe the joint venture will accelerate the development of separator film technology to support the rapidly evolving lithium ion battery market faster than either company could do alone,” said Jim  Harris, senior vice president ExxonMobil Chemical Company.

Detailed agreements are being prepared in anticipation of the joint venture formation in January 2010. TonenGeneral and Toray Industries will each hold a 50 percent interest in the joint venture, with headquarters located in Tokyo.

Sion Power Receives DOE Grant to Enhance Lithium Sulfur Batteries
Sion Power Corp. has received a three-year, $800,000 research grant from the US Department of Energy (DOE). The monies are being used to support Sion’s ongoing work to develop a new class of electrolytes used in lithium sulfur (Li-S) batteries for electric vehicle (EV) applications. Sion Power will provide matching funds for this three-year effort.

The project objective is to increase performance of very high energy lithium metal anodes used in rechargeable battery systems. Sion Power will complete development of its electrolyte system employing multiple components. While improving lithium conductivity, one component will be optimized to enhance metallic lithium anode performance; another will enhance cathode functionality. The multi-component electrolyte system will enable Sion Power to improve chemical stability leading to improved safety and abuse tolerance.

According to Sion Power’s CEO Dennis Mangino, “We consider the receipt of this grant by the DOE a vote of confidence in the future of our advantaged Li-S rechargeable battery technology. There is no known commercial technology that will be able to match the electric vehicle driving performance enabled by Li-S batteries once targeted hurdles of cycle life and safety are overcome. This grant is key in helping to make that a reality.”

Li-S technology already offers significant specific energy advantages over existing rechargeable battery technologies. Sion Power is currently completing development of a range of battery materials that improve Li-S battery life and extend driving range. The higher energy available with Li-S chemistry has the potential to extend significantly driving ranges over that available, or projected, with rechargeable lithium ion (Li-ion) battery technologies by a factor greater than three.

Lithium-Ion Battery Maker EnerDel Enters Utility Energy Storage Market, Will Supply New DOE-Backed Smart Grid Program
EnerDel will enter the utility-scale energy storage market, supplying batteries for a major new smart grid program announced by the US Department of Energy. EnerDel will build the batteries for five one-megawatt power systems that will be used by Portland General Electric (PGE) to help manage peak demand and smooth the variations in power from renewable sources like wind and solar.

"Energy storage is a key component of the smart grid, as well as a crucial tool for enhancing both the reliability and the availability of renewable but often intermittent energy sources like wind and solar," said Cyrus Ashtiani, CTO at EnerDel. "We expect this sector to be a major growth area for the battery industry. This program is a breakthrough opportunity for EnerDel to prove the capabilities of our systems in partnership with one of the most innovative electric utilities in the country."

Each of the five EnerDel battery systems will store enough energy to power roughly 400 average American homes simultaneously for up to an hour at a time utilizing the same core chemistry as the EnerDel batteries designed for the emerging new generation of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles. The new systems will be used in concert with a variety of both hardware and software solutions to improve system reliability during peak demand loads.

The PGE project will be built in Salem, OR, where it will serve both residential and commercial customers. Equipment will be installed at 15 sites over the next two years, after which developers will spend two to three years testing system performance under wide variety of geographic and meteorological conditions. It is one of 16 announced by DOE, which is providing half the $178 million funding through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, the federal stimulus package enacted in February. The balance will come from utilities and other participants. Overall, the Northwest regional program will serve up to 60,000 utility customers in Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington and Wyoming.

Saft Confirms Location for Lithium-Ion Battery Factory in Jacksonville, Florida
Following a $95 million grant from the US Department of Energy under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and successful negotiations between Saft, the state of Florida and the city of Jacksonville, construction will soon begin in Jacksonville for the lithium-ion (Li-ion) factory of the future.

The total estimated cost of the project is around $200 million, and it will bring roughly 279 jobs to the area during the next six years.
Saft’s new facility will be a high-volume manufacturing plant building advanced Li-ion cells and batteries for military hybrid vehicles, aviation, smart grid support, broadband back-up power and energy storage for renewable energy.

Construction is scheduled to commence within the next few months and be completed before the end of 2010. The presence of this state-of-the-art manufacturing facility ensures that competitive battery solutions will be imminently available to the US and world markets from the Jacksonville facility.

Save the Date for Battery Power 2010
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.

Presentation abstracts are currently being accepted: http://www.batterypoweronline.com/bppt-conf10/bp10_papers.php.

December

7th - 2nd Battery & Fuel Cell Hybrid Systems, Orlando, 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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