I have been comparing the companies' technology across performance variables such as whr/kg, whr/l, and cycle life--as most oems do.
I stated these variables in a post but they produced little interest:
techstocks.com
Most Bellcore derivatives including prototypes score score 110-125 whr/kg and 200-280 whr/l. There are approximately 16 licensees of the bellcore battery of which valence is one. Of these 16 it is estimated that between 9 and 12 have fuctioning prototypes--none have begun shipping commercial volumes. The newer polymers score much higher (see prior posts). For example there are now two companies that have "publicaly" announced whr/kg between 180-200 and whr/l in excess of 400! In addition, Lithium metal developers have been doing even better. The bellcore concept was superior in 1994 but now it is just barely comparable to older liquid lithium ion chemistries which have improved in performance again this year. Current liquid LI-Ion batteries are supeiror in whr/kg and whr/l and they continue to improve.
However, I still think polymer is in total superior because of its inherent stability and the flexibility it offers oems. However, many polymer companies have gone well beyond the performance offered by the bellcore derivateves (see prior posts). Looking at these numbers I will rank the "non-public" companies:
Electrofuel
Hydroquebec/3M (estimated)
Tadiran
Battery engineering
Polyplus
Powerdex
I again do not think I should rank the public ones considering the corner I painted myself into but that information is much easier to obtain than it is for private companies -- see the companies 10-Ks, marketing material, and trade journals. Some performance info is also at their web sites. Also look back through the links listed here. The articles and some of the sites have performance numbers also.
To find info on "private" companies for starters see:
ecnmag.com
ecnmag.com (then enter lithium)
darnell.com
techweb.com
For other companies call them and ask them specifically (like a customer would)--they will usually tell you if you call their investor relation's department, marketing, or engineering departments. Much of the material is copywritten so be careful what you reproduce. Also, make sure the info is public before you trade on it or discuss it here. Also, your are going to have to look at fee based sources and go to the liabrary. Darnell is probably the most comprehensive on the web (www.darnell.com) but their reports are about $1,000 and you cannot reprint ANY of their material. This is also why I tend to be fairly cautious in what I reprint.
Let me know if you come to the same conclusion as far as technology goes. I am also evaluating the companies marketing, production, strategic capibilities -- any input on these matters is also welcome. |
