FEATURED ARTICLES
Battery Failures in the News: How Does a Manufacturer Mitigate Risk?
Contributed commentary by Jim Green, Global Business Manager, Energy Storage, CSA Group
Recent safety recalls of portable device and computer batteries point out the challenges that manufacturers face in an environment where consumers continually demand smaller devices, with higher power, longer run time, and lower cost. Manufacturers strive to make these improvements without sacrificing safety, quality and manufacturability.
Getting Battery Energy Storage Systems Installed in the Built Environment
Contributed commentary by Laurie Florence, Principal Engineer, UL
Battery energy storage systems are being utilized for numerous applications including support for intermittent renewable energy sources, grid balancing and load leveling, reliability and resiliency, and providing costs savings to users by providing power during peak/high cost times. Utilities have been installing energy storage at various utility controlled areas to provide renewable support or ancillary services. More recently, these systems are being installed at commercial sites, on private property and even within mixed occupied buildings including residential locations.
Batteries by Design: Unique Perspectives Through Multi-Scale Imaging
Commentary contributed by Jeff Gelb, Carl Zeiss Microscopy
Batteries are complex systems. From the protective mechanisms in the packaging to the finest details of the active materials, a wide range of structures must work together in order for a battery to function properly. As consumers and government agencies alike demand higher energy densities at lower costs per kwh, optimizing these complex systems is of critical importance to furthering battery technologies. In parallel with optimizing the functionality of the cells, it is equally important to ensure the safe and reliable operation of the battery product, during normal use, storage, or extreme conditions.
NEW PRODUCTS
SII Semiconductor Corp. Introduces a New 2-to-3-Cell Secondary Battery Protection IC for Rechargeable Li-Ion Batteries
SII Semiconductor Corp., a subsidiary of Seiko Instruments Inc., has introduced the S-8223A/B/C/D series 2-to-3 cell secondary battery protection IC for lithium-ion rechargeable batteries. They are characterized by an ultra-small SNT-6A package measuring 1.6 by 1.8 by 0.5 mm and a current consumption of 0.25 μA. The S-8223A/B/C/D series is well for protecting lithium-ion batteries in laptop computers and other portable devices.
Enhanced Wireless Battery Identification Device Based on Dealer, End-User Feedback
AMETEK Prestolite Power has introduced a Wireless Battery Identification Device (WBID) that allows operators to monitor battery and charger usage for an entire fleet through continuous data collection. Data is transmitted wirelessly with ZigBee radio or over DC cables to a single data point where the data is available to download from multiple units simultaneously.
Orion Engineered Carbons Specialty Carbon Blacks Improve Performance of Advanced Lead Acid Batteries
Orion Engineered Carbons has introduced two new advanced Specialty Carbon Blacks that improve the performance of advanced lead acid batteries (aLAB): XPB 560 Powder and XPB 566 Powder. These new grades, together with Orion's XPB 593 Powder, constitute the Orion aLAB grade family, which can significantly increase the dynamic charge acceptance (DCA) of the aLAB and control the water loss performance.
Intersil Announces a 15 A, 42 V Analog Power Module
Intersil, a subsidiary of Renesas Electronics Corp., has announced the first 42 V single-channel DC/DC step-down power module that delivers up to 15 A of continuous current. The ISL8215M operates from a single wide input voltage range that includes industry standard 12 V, 18 V, and 24 V intermediate bus power rails.
See More New Products Online
Batteries | Charging | ICs & Semiconductors | Components | Testing, Monitoring & Safety | Manufacturing & Materials
INDUSTRY NEWS
Forge Nano Completes Intellectual Property Rights for Lithium-Ion Battery Production Using Atomic Layer Deposition Technology
Forge Nano has assembled exclusive intellectual property rights to produce safer, longer-lasting Lithium-Ion battery products with the company's high throughput Atomic Layer Deposition (ALD) coating technology. The company secured key exclusive IP licensing agreements and made significant IP acquisitions in 2017 to round out the IP portfolio for ADL battery materials, production process and other patents issued directly to Forge Nano by the USPTO.
NUS Researchers Develop Advanced Material for Ultra-Stable, High Capacity Rechargeable Batteries
A team of researchers from the National University of Singapore (NUS) has successfully designed a novel organic material of improved electrical conductivity and energy retention capability for use in battery applications. This invention paves the way for the development of ultra-stable, high capacity and environmental friendly rechargeable batteries.
Silatronix Awarded Navy ONR Contract to Enable Safe, High Stability LTO Based Li-Ion Batteries Using Organosilicon Electrolytes
Silatronix has recently been awarded a $1 million contract from the US Navy, Office of Naval Research (ONR). The contract, entitled "Organosilicon (OS) Electrolytes to Enable Safe, High Stability LTO Based Li-ion Batteries" is intended to improve the commercial viability of LTO anode systems by addressing their poor high temperature performance while maintaining the other attractive performance attributes of LTO technology.
INDUSTRY EVENTS
13th Annual Lithium Battery Materials & Chemistries
October 31 - November 1
Arlington, VA
The Lithium Battery Materials & Chemistries 2017 conference will provide in-depth coverage on the chemistries, both current and next-generation, that are shaping the future of energy storage. From novel electrode/electrolyte materials to higher-capacity cathode/anode structures, this conference will explore how to economically increase battery energy density.
> REGISTER BY SEPTEMBER 29 FOR MAXIMUM SAVINGS
8th Annual Battery Safety Conference
November 2-3
Arlington, VA
Higher energy and higher use lead to higher risk. While research continues to boost the energy storage capability of lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) and leads to expanding applications and consumer use, the task of implementing effective safety strategies falls on regulatory authorities, cell manufacturers, R&D engineers and forensic scientists. Accurate tests and models are critical for predicting and controlling the complex electrochemical, thermal and mechanical behavior of LIBs while forensic investigations and regulations are required for safe transport. The Battery Safety 2017 conference continues this vital dialogue to integrate and implement LIB safety to meet ever-increasing energy demands.
> REGISTER BY SEPTEMBER 29 FOR MAXIMUM SAVINGS
