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Zinc Matrix Power is one of several companies working on a safer alternative to conventional lithium-ion batteries. Although current lithium-ion electrolytes are flammable, 3M is developing nonflammable electrolytes for use with lithium-ion batteries. Other companies, such as Valence Technology (Austin, TX) and A123 Systems (Watertown, MA), are marketing batteries that use a phosphate material in one electrode, which is safer than the oxides typically used in lithium-ion batteries.
Donald Sadoway, professor of chemistry at MIT, is skeptical that a recycling program will be sufficient to keep down the costs of silver-zinc batteries. "The capital costs of this thing is going to kill you," he says. Even the Navy, which has used the expensive silver-zinc technology, is funding his group to study advances in lithium-ion batteries, Sadoway says. If anyone has indeed found a way to make affordable, high-performance silver-zinc batteries, though, it could be "really good," he says, adding that "remarkable claims require remarkable proof. And this sounds remarkable."
But the reaction of Yet-Ming Chiang, a MIT materials scientist and a founder of battery-maker A123 Systems, to the recent Zinc Matrix announcement reflects the fast development of new battery technologies. "A competitor every day," he says. "We'll have to get used to it."
New materials improve the reliability, safety, and storage capacity of lithium-ion batteries.
Is Safe Using Li-ion Battery ?
from http://www.Camcorder-battery-shop.com 2006-10-28
Some customer ask me the question"Is Safe Using Li-ion Camcorder Battery", as there are too many event of "battery recall" at present.the following is my answer.
There is the rare possibility that any battery can explode. Some battery designs are more prone to this than others. Being a name brand battery isn't always a good indicator that a battery isn't one of those that might possibly explode. Sometimes even name brand stuff does this.
These things are very rare but it does happen. This is the one thing you might be concerned about when it comes to batteries. BTW camera companies buy their batteries from a company that makes batteries for the most part. The only thing you can do is to check for reports of explosions on the web. In the past there was no good way of finding out these things without making a trip to the periodicals section of a good library.
I buy lots of aftermarket batteries. I generally try to check about a retailer since it's often hard to know exactly what batteries are being sold. If you find a dealer that is known to sell lots of batteries that don't have problems then you shouldn't have any problems.
Like I said, I have all sorts of batteries from a number of manufacturers and I've never had any problems with explosions. I have had batteries that really weren't all that good. The worst ones I have were actually Panasonic but I strongly suspect I used a charger that was too powerful for them.
Li-ion batteries do not explode, at least I have never been able to find a reliable report of the battery exploding however they have been reported to get very hot, hot enough to reach 6,000 degrees which could in some cases being more dangerous than exploding.
The reference given seems to be a bit outdated. It states "Similarly, Li-ion batteries for defense applications are being produced that far exceed the energy density of the commercial equivalent. Unfortunately, these super-high capacity Li-ion batteries are deemed unsafe in the hands of the public. Neither would the general public be able to afford to buy them" There are actually several Li-ion battery chemistries used but even the consumer Li-ion batteries can be dangerous if you try to cut them open or puncture them.
Most camcorders today use the Li-ion batteries, as well as cellphones and a lot of laptops.
http://www.mallbox.net
Surely we don't think the zinc matrix is the cure all the major battery and laptop companies, dell, sony, lonovo, LG, toshiba.... are all awaiting the release 1stQ 07 of disruptive technology in the small battery field. they know, but it is not yet public knowledge that the new microvascular battery from SigFx will eliminate the heat problem and increase battery life 2-300% a phenomenal increase. this 8 year project has been below the radar but will be publically announced in the next 4-8 weeks. no efforts to get the word out, but now is the time, ask around to the larger players battery and computer, and you will be able to get some vague limited info. check out the tech presentation at http://www.sigfx.com/index.html
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51 Comments
every day - a new battery
All this recent intense development on new rechargeable battery systems bodes well for the electricity-centric future. Odds are that at least some of these guys will make it to market. But I'd like to know where this leaves fuel cells & methanol/ethanol/hydrogen/reformers.
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kitk
76 Comments
Re: every day - a new battery
Indeed, new chemistries are being used every day. But it is a lot like both the early days of radio and home computers. New companies, new products, most being left in the dust. It is going too fast for much financial security for investors, which is scary.
Recycling sounds good, but really, unless there is a financial incentive that makes people want to take the time and trouble to bring them in, they will be dumped. This could be good for silver mining, and there is no shortage of silver.
For fuel cells,,, they actually generate energy, whereas the batteries just store them. It could be a matter of niches, where the particular product works best.
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Guest (mjtimber)
Re: every day - a new battery
Um, fuel cells don't generate electricity. They act like the internal workings of battery, with a chemical reaction creating electricity. Fuel cells even fail here in that they can't even store the "fuel" like a battery, they need heavy external tanks for the compressed hydrogen. And while there is no shortage of silver, it isn't that common and is only found in very low concentrations. For the most part, silver is now a byproduct of copper mining. Seems like a poor solution; I would stick with the Li-ion chemistries. Especially since companies like Altair Nano and A123 seem to have already solved the safety issues.
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