Matsushita to ship safe lithium-ion battery

ceric · 12-18-2006, 02:24 PM

http://www.eetimes.com/news/latest/showArt...cleID=196700457

Matsushita to ship safe lithium-ion battery

Edward Moltzen
CRN
(12/18/2006 7:16 AM EST)

Panasonic's parent company, Matsushita, said Monday that its battery subsidiary has developed a new "mass-production" system that produces safe lithium-ion batteries.

The announcement comes in a year when almost all major notebook manufacturers were forced to recall flawed notebook battery packs supplied by Matsushita rival Sony, including a 4.1 million battery recall initiated by Dell, Round Rock, Texas. Dell's recall caused a major stir in the industry, after months of bad publicity over notebooks that caught fire due to a battery pack flaw. Soon, other vendors including Apple, Lenovo, Toshiba and Fujitsu announced recalls of Sony-based notebook batteries.

Matsushita, based in Osaka, Japan, said its battery unit "has succeeded in improving the safety by forming a heat resistance layer (HRL) consisting of an insulating metal oxide on the surface of the electrodes. Lithium-ion batteries contain a thin polyolefin separator to insulate the cathode from the anode. When a separator is pierced by an electrically conductive material such as a metal particle, a short-circuit develops, causing the battery to overheat and, in the worst case, catch fire."

"The HRL used in the Panasonic battery, however, has better insulating and heat-resistant characteristics than polyolefin. Even if a short-circuit occurs, it will cease without causing the battery to overheat," the company said. "The HRL technology has enabled (Matsushita) to increase energy density and mass-produce safer lithium-ion batteries."

U.S. regulators, including the Consumer Product Safety Commission, have been investigating hazards connected to lithium ion batteries for several years. In the case of the Sony batteries, the company admitted that a flaw in a production line led to contaminants inside battery packs that were shipped to notebook makers.

Matsushita's unit said its process has undertaken steps to ensure that lithium-ion batteries are not contaminated with "electrically conductive materials" and has created a "clean environment" in its battery factory.

clett · 12-19-2006, 07:16 AM

It would be cool to have a 200 Wh/kg standard lithium-ion battery with the fireproof safety profile of a Valence, A123 or Altair battery (which are currently limited to around 100 Wh/kg).

http://www.valence.com/SafetyVideo.asp

Wiyosaya · 12-19-2006, 01:09 PM

I'm not entirely sure if this is the battery, but within the last couple of years, one of the big companies announced that they were starting to mass produce a lithium battery that could be very quickly recharged. I believe the recharge time was on the order of 1/2 hour. There is no mention of that in this article, but if this is the battery and it is placed in a hybrid, it may mean that much more energy could be recovered from regenerative breaking. One thing that makes me think that this is the company and this is the battery is the mention of better temperature control for the battery. Heat generated during recharge is a big consideration. I'll keep my fingers crossed.

All the best,
Matthew

12-18-2006, 02:24 PM	#1
ceric Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Fremont, CA Posts: 806 My Car: 2005 Prius Package: #6 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	http://www.eetimes.com/news/latest/showArt...cleID=196700457 Matsushita to ship safe lithium-ion battery Edward Moltzen CRN (12/18/2006 7:16 AM EST) Panasonic's parent company, Matsushita, said Monday that its battery subsidiary has developed a new "mass-production" system that produces safe lithium-ion batteries. The announcement comes in a year when almost all major notebook manufacturers were forced to recall flawed notebook battery packs supplied by Matsushita rival Sony, including a 4.1 million battery recall initiated by Dell, Round Rock, Texas. Dell's recall caused a major stir in the industry, after months of bad publicity over notebooks that caught fire due to a battery pack flaw. Soon, other vendors including Apple, Lenovo, Toshiba and Fujitsu announced recalls of Sony-based notebook batteries. Matsushita, based in Osaka, Japan, said its battery unit "has succeeded in improving the safety by forming a heat resistance layer (HRL) consisting of an insulating metal oxide on the surface of the electrodes. Lithium-ion batteries contain a thin polyolefin separator to insulate the cathode from the anode. When a separator is pierced by an electrically conductive material such as a metal particle, a short-circuit develops, causing the battery to overheat and, in the worst case, catch fire." "The HRL used in the Panasonic battery, however, has better insulating and heat-resistant characteristics than polyolefin. Even if a short-circuit occurs, it will cease without causing the battery to overheat," the company said. "The HRL technology has enabled (Matsushita) to increase energy density and mass-produce safer lithium-ion batteries." U.S. regulators, including the Consumer Product Safety Commission, have been investigating hazards connected to lithium ion batteries for several years. In the case of the Sony batteries, the company admitted that a flaw in a production line led to contaminants inside battery packs that were shipped to notebook makers. Matsushita's unit said its process has undertaken steps to ensure that lithium-ion batteries are not contaminated with "electrically conductive materials" and has created a "clean environment" in its battery factory. __________________ 2005' Tideland Prius (Dec, 2004) Life time MPG = 45+ Mods Done: body-side moldings, wood dash kit, rear bumper applique, ultrasound backup sensors, backup camera, signal mirrors, BT stiffening plate, 205/60R15 tires, leather-trim interior, all-weather mats, shark-fin antenna Mods Planned: 16" or 17" light-alloy wheels, front strut-tower brace

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12-19-2006, 07:16 AM	#2
clett Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Scotland Posts: 453 My Car: Other Non-Hybrid Package: N/A Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	It would be cool to have a 200 Wh/kg standard lithium-ion battery with the fireproof safety profile of a Valence, A123 or Altair battery (which are currently limited to around 100 Wh/kg). http://www.valence.com/SafetyVideo.asp

12-19-2006, 01:09 PM	#3
Wiyosaya Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 274 My Car: 2006 Prius Package: #5 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	I'm not entirely sure if this is the battery, but within the last couple of years, one of the big companies announced that they were starting to mass produce a lithium battery that could be very quickly recharged. I believe the recharge time was on the order of 1/2 hour. There is no mention of that in this article, but if this is the battery and it is placed in a hybrid, it may mean that much more energy could be recovered from regenerative breaking. One thing that makes me think that this is the company and this is the battery is the mention of better temperature control for the battery. Heat generated during recharge is a big consideration. I'll keep my fingers crossed. All the best, Matthew