Frank, one of the battery technologies mentioned in the IEEE article came from Altairnano:
"Cells now being developed by ALTAIR Nanotechnologies, based in Reno, Nev., switch the lithium from the cathode to the anode, forming a compound called lithium-titanate spinel (Li4Ti5O12). The company says that the cells recharge in 3 minutes and deliver three times as much power as the conventional design, and at a great operating range of temperatures: –30 °C to 249 °C (–22 °F to 480 °F). It also says that its batteries can keep on ticking after 9000 recharging cycles, compared with 1000 for conventional cells. ALTAIR’s battery, however, is not yet in production.... "
If the technology works out, there are obvious implications for battery-powered mobile devices.
Those batteries are now in their first commercial use. The following is a vehicle review more than anything else, but it's interesting to see the battery technology emerging. The batteries appear to offer significant advantages, even compared to "conventional" lithium-ion.
Hands On With the Phoenix Electric Car
pcmag.com
"The cars feature breakthrough battery technology from Altairnano. The lithium-ion batteries use lithium titanate spinel oxide, instead of graphite for the anode, which delivers some strong benefits. First, the company claims that the batteries will last for 10,000 charges, or for more than 27 years of daily charging. The batteries also deliver a charge in extreme cold and warm temperatures, from 22 below to above 150 degrees Fahrenheit. They're much safer too, the company said. During testing, the batteries remained intact when heated to above 450 degrees, far beyond the point where conventional batteries can explode...
...The batteries also take charge quickly. The entire car can be recharged in just ten minutes, although only via a special charging station that can deliver an impressively huge quantity of electricity rapidly. It will also recharge in four hours via a standard 110- or 220-volt household plug. The range is only about 135 miles, which is good enough for a daily commute, or running around town, but not for longer trips. However, the company envisions a network of fast charging stations built along major freeways in California; the first one will be installed in San Jose later this year.
The company will deliver about four hundred cars this year. The first customer will be Pacific Gas and Electric, who will use them to replace service trucks in a pilot program. A San Jose taxi company plans to deploy them as well. The company also hopes to deliver a few models to consumers this year, at a price of around $45,000, and hopes to sell thousands of cars to businesses and consumers in 2008."
Jim |
