LAS VEGAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 21, 2000--Power Technology, Inc.
(OTCBB: PWTC), a power generation technology development company, held
its annual shareholders meeting on September 14, 2000 at Company
headquarters in Las Vegas, Nev.
Management teams from Power Technology and Bipolar Power
International (BPI) made a comprehensive presentation to the attending
shareholders.
Mr. Jeff Arias, BPI President, presented his company's background
as well as the results of their work to date with Power Technology's
patented reticulated metal-foam battery plates. BPI has built a number
of test cells to compare the performance of ordinary lead-acid battery
plates versus test plates made with Power Technology's reticulated
foam and BPI's proprietary high performance paste formulation.
The test results showed major benefits in combining the companies'
two unique technologies.
Mr. Arias stated, "Preliminary test results indicate that
material-utilization efficiencies were more than doubled using BPI
paste with Power Technology foam." (Utilization efficiency is the
measure of how much electricity a battery can deliver per pound of
active material inside.) "Furthermore," he continued, "this is a major
improvement, since typical battery efficiencies are around 30%."
Other test data presented showed the result of the life-testing on
the test cells. The test cells show no decrease in capacity after 120
charge-discharge cycles, and testing is still continuing. "We have
only been at this for 2 months," noted Mr. Arias, "but these
preliminary test results look very good."
He then demonstrated the first laboratory prototype 2-volt battery
cell, built with the Power Technology+BPI-technology plates. To
demonstrate the prototype, Mr. Arias powered a cooling fan with
complete success.
B.C. Research Inc. (www.bcresearch.com) also provided Power
Technology's management with the first test results from their team
efforts at their dedicated facility. The initial tests of Power
Technology's patented reticulated lead plates showed the following
advantages over standard grid plates:
-- Up to 300% higher charge capacity
-- Up to 200% longer discharge time
-- Up to 200% higher specific energy
Research and development are continuing in the following areas:
-- Comparisons of foam vs. plate performance with different
pastes
-- Corrosion studies of foam plates
-- Characterization and optimization of structural and
compositional aspects of lead foams
-- Mathematical modeling of reticulated lead-acid battery for
design and construction of 12-, 36- and 42-volt prototypes
Novel battery technologies have an "image and perception problem"
when compared to fuel cells. Generally speaking, the fuel cell
technology is much better promoted and marketed.
As a result, fuel cells are somewhat unjustifiably perceived by
both the investment community and the general public, as the most
important or furthermore, the only and ultimate alternative clean
(green) technology which is destined to replace the internal
combustion engine.
Problems regarding the mass production, commercialization and the
extensive infrastructure associated with fuel cells are generally
disregarded during "marketing."
Dr. Elod Gyenge, a senior consultant and electrochemist for BCRI,
stated that, "Batteries are usually perceived as useful only for
consumer electronics and some smaller niche markets, such as golf
carts, wheel chairs or small utility vehicles.
Whilst, fuel cells are promoted as the technology which will
revolutionize the car market and it will change completely the
automotive industry, batteries are perceived in a low-key fashion.
The truth is that hybrid (gasoline-electric) vehicles are already
on the market and novel, high performance battery technologies which
are being developed, could indeed power tomorrow's cars in a more cost
effective and straightforward manner than fuel cells (e.g., virtually
no new fueling infrastructure should be developed).
"Therefore, the image of batteries as mostly consumer electronic
power sources must be changed and is time to think 'big' regarding
batteries. The Power Battery technology has to be promoted and
perceived by the general public and the investment community as an
excellent and more feasible alternative to the internal combustion
engine."
Power Technology, Inc. is a Las Vegas-based technology development
company, which holds several patents in the power generation and power
storage fields, and is working to provide innovative and practical
technology solutions for commercial, government, and industrial
applications worldwide.
Certain statements in this news release may constitute "forward
looking" statements within the meaning of section 21E of the
Securities Act of 1934. Such forward looking statements involve risks,
uncertainties, and other factors, which may cause the actual results,
performance or achievement expressed or implied by such forward
looking statement to differ.
--30--SF/ph*
CONTACT: Power Technology, Inc.
Investor Information:
Investor Communications Company
Craig Heller, 888/345-0434
or
Princeton Research
Product Information:
702/251-7163 - voice
702/251-7165 - fax
URL: powerpwtc.com
KEYWORD: NEVADA
INDUSTRY KEYWORD: COMPUTERS/ELECTRONICS ENERGY NETWORKING
Today's News On The Net - Business Wire's full file on the Internet
with Hyperlinks to your home page.
URL: businesswire.com |
