Silicon Investor (SI) -- The First Internet Community

STOCKTALK

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor. We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community. If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.

Technology Stocks : VALENCE TECHNOLOGY (VLNC) -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: rli123 who wrote (24307)	5/27/2001 8:43:53 PM
From: Jacques Tenzel	Respond to of 27311

Samsung was an original Belcore licensee and may therefor have had a valid license before signing on with Valence. We are not privy to the details of the new agreement (nor to the chemistry of the batteries offered for that matter) and do not know to what extent the new license or batteries offered are using original Valence IP rather than what Valence purchased from Telcordia.

To: rli123 who wrote (24307)	5/27/2001 11:34:28 PM
From: ikonoklast53	Respond to of 27311

rli123, Can't explain the timing of events other than they all occurred after Valence acquired Telcordia's Bellcore patent portfolio and Samsung, like all other Bellcore licensees, needs Valence's technology, lacking in the original Bellcore licensing agreement, evolving around mass production. At least that is what I gathered from this article... ------------- Never Too Thin or Too Powerful mobilecomputing.com While it might not be an engineering breakthrough, Valence Technology Inc. has pulled off a coup that could change the way we power our mobile equipment. The Henderson, NV, company recently consolidated all the patents and trademarks for lithium polymer (Li-poly) batteries from Telcordia Technologies Inc. (formerly Bellcore, the research arm of the Baby Bells) for stock worth roughly $50 million. The stock deal resolves a mutually restrictive situation that kept Li-poly cells out of mainstream use, says Lev Dawson, chairman and CEO at Valence. While Telcordia/Bellcore mastered the basic technology, Valence perfected the processes needed to mass produce the cells. "We had the core patents for the technology," says Vassilis G. Keramidas, Telcordia's vice president of formative technologies. "[Valence] debugged a lot of the manufacturing issues." The deal involved 42 U.S. patents, 15 license agreements and the PLiON trademark. Consolidating the patents not only creates a Li-poly powerhouse but provides a single source from which an interested company can license any or all the technologies and processes needed to make Li-poly batteries. Valence's approach to Li-poly batteries rests on using a unique mix of materials to achieve lower cost, greater safety and an environmentally friendly product. Instead of relying on lithium cobalt oxide, which runs about $22 a pound for the cathode, Valence switched to lithium manganese oxide, which costs half as much and is more durable. Says Dawson, "Our battery costs drop by 30 percent, and we get 1,000 recharge cycles at 80 percent capacity with [lithium] manganese oxide." Plus, using lithium manganese oxide circumvents the disposal problems of lithium cobalt cells, which contain heavy metals that are illegal to throw in the garbage. Lithium polymer already has moved from cost-is-no-object applications, like satellites and weapons, to mobile phones and could be headed for notebooks by the end of the year. "We've made some ergonomic shapes," Dawson continues. Footprint batteries Ð which are just one-quarter-inch thick but cover most or all of a notebook's base Ð already are being made. For example, Valence's Model 74 cell has a mobile-friendly, 2.6 by 5.6-inch outline and can be made in varying thicknesses, depending on the type of system incorporating it. At about one-tenth-inch thick, the battery holds 2,080 milliamp-hours of capacity and weighs little more than 2 ounces, ideal for an ultralight notebook. Double its thickness, and you have a 4,170 milliamp-hour battery that would be perfect for a full-size notebook. Ð William Terdoslavich

To: rli123 who wrote (24307)	5/28/2001 2:49:21 AM
From: Tickertype	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 27311

I believe Samsung has been the main recipient of polymer batteries from Etion, an original Telcordia licensee. Etion recently announced that they're increasing their output from 300,000/mo to 450,000/mo as I recall, and Lev spoke very highly of them and the quality of their batteries. Until now they've presumably been using their own technology, but Lev said he'll provide them with automated equipment for the critical process steps. Unless Samsung's been working with Valence for some time, I think it would be too early for them to be able to supply Valence-designed batteries to other OEM's at this point. This leaves two other possibilities - either they're supplying Etion batteries, or they're selling their own design. If it's the latter, then they may have equipment in place which will enable them to start producing "our" batteries in less than the typical 18 month time frame. I wonder when deliveries to Palm and Compaq are scheduled to begin? - T -