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Technology Stocks : Energy Conversion Devices -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Don Devlin who wrote (3290)	3/4/1999 11:33:00 PM
From: Michael Latas	Read Replies (3) \| Respond to of 8393

Don, we may not have to wait for EV's or HEV's to really launch our Ovonic Battery operation, in light of the glacier pace the auto industry is moving on the EV/HEV's. On the front page of the current March 1st Automotive News is a feature article, AUTOMAKERS AND SUPPLIERS PLOT A HIGH-VOLTAGE FUTURE. Automakers have been discussing a need to develop higher voltage electrical systems for some time now. Many of you will recall the shift that took place from 6-volt to 12-volt electrical systems back in the mid-1950s. That was over forty years ago. Well folks, the time has come where 12-volt electrical systems simply will not do its job. This feature article does a good job of spelling out the big time major benefits of a forty-two volt system. This is the system the Europeans want to adopt and are hopeful can be standardized. The American auto mfg'rs favor adding a dual second battery in the trunk. The traditional low-voltage devices such as electronics could run off the 14-volt system, while the 42-volt network would power the newer systems. The Europeans favor a single 42-volt system. It appears that the existing lead-acid battery will not be enough. A need for a much more powerful battery will be needed. ECD's battery would meet those needs better than any other existing technology. (This happens to be my own personal opinion based upon what I know about this subject.) Does anyone else know of a better battery than NiMH? Now, wouldn't that be a nice twist for a change? According to the SAE International this change is something that has to take place. "Higher voltages are an enabler of many technologies that right now are waiting in the wings", says John Miller, an electrical specialist in Ford Motor Co.'s research laboratory. "In a current 12-volt system, new motorized components would be electricity hogs requiring thicker wiring that adds weight and cost. But higher voltage lets engineers use thinner wires or add new electric accessories without increasing net wiring bulk". "For example, the Oldsmobile Aurora has a typical 75-pound wiring harness. Using a 36-volt battery, the weight of the copper in the harness could be cut in half". (Olds happens to be testing a 36-volt electrical system. However, the 42-volt system appears to be gathering support and favor). These are only a couple of a number of advantages to a heavier voltage system that is definitely forthcoming. This has been in development in the US and in Europe for some time now and building up a head of steam, very much like CD-RW and DVD-RAM is becoming the new international standard. This could benefit the auto industry with this enabling technology as well as ECD. I guess it remains to be seen. End By the way, for those of you attending the shareholders meeting in Kettering Ohio (Southern suburb of Dayton Ohio), I will be posting several motels close to the meeting place, along with a couple of convenient restaurants for dinner Wed. P.M. and for breakfast Thurs. A.M., for those that are interested in getting together, this weekend. Regards.