Next-Gen Car Batteries Promise Longer Life, More Power

hb06 · 07-06-2007, 11:55 AM

"Remember the lowly car battery? That greasy thing with corroding terminals, universally ignored until it runs out of juice?"

"A new generation of batteries -– safer, cleaner and far more powerful -– is beginning to emerge, batteries that can meet the demanding requirements of cars propelled by electricity."

Firefly Energy

"Firefly Energy, a spinoff from heavy equipment manufacturer Caterpillar, is breathing new life into lead-acid batteries, a technology that hasn't changed much since Thomas Edison used them to power electric cars in the 1890s."

"Firefly has replaced the lead plates found inside conventional batteries with a lead-impregnated foam made from carbon graphite –- one of the few materials that can withstand the highly corrosive sulfuric acid inside batteries. The foam increases the surface area of lead inside the battery, delivering more power and slashing the recharge time, says Firefly CEO Ed Williams."

A123Systems

"In their charged state, lithium-ion batteries are intrinsically unstable," says Bart Riley, the CTO of A123Systems, a Watertown, Massachusetts, company that is using nanotech research to create a new and safer version of lithium-ion batteries."

"A123Systems has modified the chemical structure of lithium-ion batteries, substituting iron for the cobalt used today."

"The result is a battery that can be recharged far more often, and is more stable chemically, and thus safer. The combination makes the company's batteries "particularly well-suited for plug-in hybrids," Riley says."

http://www.wired.com/cars/futuretransport/...s?currentPage=2

Godiva · 07-06-2007, 01:04 PM

When I got my Prius in 2005 I said something about battery technology doing some amazing things in the coming years, driven by a market that was hungry for hybrids and pointed towards EVs.

I'll restate that.

They're going to build a better battery. And they're going to continue to do it and do it faster and faster.

Topgas · 07-07-2007, 08:34 AM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Godiva @ Jul 6 2007, 01:04 PM) [snapback]474089[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

When I got my Prius in 2005 I said something about battery technology doing some amazing things in the coming years, driven by a market that was hungry for hybrids and pointed towards EVs.

I'll restate that.

They're going to build a better battery. And they're going to continue to do it and do it faster and faster.
[/b]

And Detroit and Texas will do everything in their power to make it not come to market. Hopefully Toyota will make it happen.

Kablooie · 07-09-2007, 11:37 AM

Fortunately, Detroit and Texas don't have a lot of influence in Japan.

That's why the Prius became a real car in the first place. Could never have happened here in the U.S.

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07-06-2007, 11:55 AM	#1
hb06 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 486 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	"Remember the lowly car battery? That greasy thing with corroding terminals, universally ignored until it runs out of juice?" "A new generation of batteries -– safer, cleaner and far more powerful -– is beginning to emerge, batteries that can meet the demanding requirements of cars propelled by electricity." Firefly Energy "Firefly Energy, a spinoff from heavy equipment manufacturer Caterpillar, is breathing new life into lead-acid batteries, a technology that hasn't changed much since Thomas Edison used them to power electric cars in the 1890s." "Firefly has replaced the lead plates found inside conventional batteries with a lead-impregnated foam made from carbon graphite –- one of the few materials that can withstand the highly corrosive sulfuric acid inside batteries. The foam increases the surface area of lead inside the battery, delivering more power and slashing the recharge time, says Firefly CEO Ed Williams." A123Systems "In their charged state, lithium-ion batteries are intrinsically unstable," says Bart Riley, the CTO of A123Systems, a Watertown, Massachusetts, company that is using nanotech research to create a new and safer version of lithium-ion batteries." "A123Systems has modified the chemical structure of lithium-ion batteries, substituting iron for the cobalt used today." "The result is a battery that can be recharged far more often, and is more stable chemically, and thus safer. The combination makes the company's batteries "particularly well-suited for plug-in hybrids," Riley says." http://www.wired.com/cars/futuretransport/...s?currentPage=2

07-06-2007, 01:04 PM	#2
Godiva AmeriKan Citizen Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 10,342 My Car: 2005 Prius Model: Package: #1 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post Friends: 7	When I got my Prius in 2005 I said something about battery technology doing some amazing things in the coming years, driven by a market that was hungry for hybrids and pointed towards EVs. I'll restate that. They're going to build a better battery. And they're going to continue to do it and do it faster and faster.

07-09-2007, 11:37 AM	#4
Kablooie Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: La Canada Posts: 246 My Car: 2004 Prius Model: Package: #9 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	Fortunately, Detroit and Texas don't have a lot of influence in Japan. That's why the Prius became a real car in the first place. Could never have happened here in the U.S.