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

To: Paul Dubsky who wrote (1758)	12/15/1997 6:21:00 PM
From: John Curtis	Respond to of 27311

To All: A small article on NASA banking on Lith-Poly batteries. I doubt VLNC is a part of this, but the Dec. 8, 1997 issue of Aviation Week & Space Technology, p. 25, has a small article regarding NASA and their Lith-Poly battery hopes. The article is entitled, "Flying High," NASA is banking on a breakthrough with new lithium-polymer batteries for its solar-powered Pathfinder Plus to stay aloft throught the night--and fly month-long science missions. The batteries would be charged during the day at 65,000 ft. by new, more efficient "Sunpower" solar clls. They would fit atop the UAV's wing, which will be enlarged 20 ft. to span 120 ft.. The aircraft would descend to 15,000-20,000 ft. at night. Pathfinder's redesign, which includes new engines and a new center spar, is considered a stepping-stone to the 240-ft. winspan Centurion solar-powered UAV. When flight operations ended recently at the Pacific Missile Range Facility in Kauai, Hawaii, Pathfinder had set the world altitude record for propeller-driven aircraft at 71,350 ft.. The record is dedicated to astronaut Ellison Onizuka, killed in the space shuttle Challenger crash. With Pathfinder Plus, researchers hope to hit 100,000. (where the batteries are coming from isn't stated) -------- Clearly this article indicates the myraid of potential uses Lith-Poly batteries can be put to. I'm curious about the statement regarding NASA banking on a "breakthru with new lithium-polymer batteries." What could that mean? That manufacturing of these batteries is about to leave the drawing boards and enter the realm of commercial reality? That NASA has access to specially designed batteries? What? Clearly it's time to do some more research on NASA's Pathfinder program. Lith-Poly's light weight and malleability would be perfect in a flying solar-powered craft with electric engine's(weight would have to be a constraining factor for that type of craft). The question is obvious; where are they getting those batteries, etc., etc., etc.. Just some food for thought while we await 1st qrtr corporate pronouncements. Meanwhile, it looks like VLNC is "backing and filling." Regards! John~