Bolder Joins 36-volt Battery Consortium
aftermarket.theautochannel.com
GOLDEN, Colo. -- Bolder Technologies Corp. has become a full operating member of the MIT/Industry Consortium on Advanced Automotive Electrical/Electronic Components and Systems.
Consortium activity is focused on the transition to 42 volt electrical systems (36 volt batteries), as it is believed by many in the industry that the current 12 volt system is not capable of providing the electrical power required to run vehicles of the future.
Members of this industry-wide group include BMW, DaimlerChrysler, Delphi Automotive, Ford, General Motors and Toyota, in addition to other key auto industry leaders from around the world. A primary goal of the consortium is the coordination and conversion of power systems in automobiles from 12 volt to 36 volt as early as 2003, according to Roger F. Warren, Bolder’s chairman, president and CEO.
The transition to 42 volt systems is reportedly needed to meet industry environmental and performance improvement goals, support increasing feature content and address size, weight and capacity issues. It is expected that selected high-end models will convert to 42 volt as early as 2003.
“The auto industry is committed to higher voltage that will allow auto designers to adopt electronic systems that improve fuel efficiency and air quality. Functions such as power steering, power brakes and air conditioning will be powered electrically from the battery system instead of mechanically via belts and pulleys from the engine as they are today,” says Warren.
“In addition, consumer demand for multimedia and enhanced safety features is reinforcing the need for a 42 volt electrical system,” he adds. “We are very proud to be a member of the MIT consortium and believe that Bolder’s Thin Metal Film battery technology will play a key role in the auto industry’s transition to 42 volt systems. As part of the consortium, we will be able to participate in the planning for that transition.”
John Kassakian, director of the MIT Laboratory for Electromagnetic and Electronic Systems and director of the consortium, notes that “we are very pleased to have Bolder Technologies as a consortium member. Their expertise in advanced battery technology will make important contributions to our goals.”
Bolder’s Director of Product Engineering, Richard Johnson, is a member of one of the consortium’s key task groups and is also chairman of the Storage Battery Standards Committee of the Society of Automotive Engineers.
The importance of the auto industry conversion to a 42 volt electronic system was highlighted in recent New York Times and USA Today articles.
Johnson Controls, a consortium member who has licensed Bolder’s TMF technology for its Inspira® battery system for 42 volt architectures, is currently highlighting the opportunity on its corporate website: www.john soncontrols.com/bg/NewTechnologies/index .
Consortium members are: AISIN Seiki, Alcoa Fujikura, AMP, Audi, BMW, Bolder, Continental ISAD, DaimlerChrysler, Dana, Delphi Automotive, DENSO, Dow Automotive, Eaton, Ford Motor, Furukawa Electric, General Motors, Honda, Hitachi, Hyundai Motor, Infineon Technologies, iQ Battery, Japan Storage Battery, Johnson Controls, Johnson Electric NA, Lear, Magneti Marelli, Matsushita Electric, Mitsubishi Electric, Mitsubishi Materials, Motorola, Omron Automotive Electronics, ON Semiconductor, PSA-Peugeot Citroen, Renault, Robert Bosch, Siemens Automotive, Sumitomo Electric, TDK, Tokai Rika, Toyoda Automatic Loom Works, Toyota, Visteon, Volvo and Yazaki.
Bolder Technologies, headquartered in Golden, Colo., manufactures and markets advanced, high-power rechargeable batteries based on its patented Thin Metal Film (TMF®) technology. The company is developing and commercializing consumer and OEM battery products with the TMF technology, including the SecureStart(TM) Portable Jump Starter, that use proven lead-acid electrochemistry in a proprietary configuration with a higher power density than any commercially available rechargeable battery. The company says that the TMF technology offers numerous advantages over existing batteries for current and future applications, including near-term opportunities in the marine and auto aftermarkets for 12V batteries. The website is www.boldertech.com. |
