http://www.appliancedesign.com/CDA/Articles/Feature_Article/BNP_GUID_9-5-2006_A_10000000000000063791
-----The next generation of lithium-ion batteries has improved safety characteristics in part through the use of alternative, nano-sized materials, particularly phosphates. Traditional lithium-ion technology uses active materials with particles that range in size between 5 and 20 microns.
But, more and more, battery manufacturers such as A123Systems of Watertown, Mass., Altair Nanotechnologies, Reno, Nev., and Austin, Texas-based Valence Technology are using particles that have migrated from the micron world to the nano world to boost power, and shelf life while minimizing fire risks.
The greater density of particles provides more surface area on which the ions can travel and generate additional power. In essence, battery power is derived from the diffusion of lithium-ions moving in and out of particles. When particles are smaller, but more numerous, that equates to greater diffusion and much faster kinetics than would be generated with one large particle.
Rick Fulop, co-founder and vice president of business development for A123 Systems, Watertown, Mass., says that the use of nano-sized materials in batteries is the biggest innovation in battery technologies in years and was a key reason that Black & Decker has incorporated the company's batteries in a new line of DeWalt 36 V power tools including a hammerdrill, reciprocating saw, circular saw, impact wrench, rotary hammer, jigsaw, and flashlight.
Fulop says that the ability to control the surface area, the particle size, and the morphology of the active materials used in batteries have brought battery technology to a completely new level. He says his company uses particle sizes below 100 nm without adverse reactions. The batteries can pulse at discharge rates as high as C100, which is the rated capacity in ampere-hours at a constant discharge current, and can deliver more than 3,000 W/kg with a weight to discharge of 0.9 lbs at 1,500 W. Cell temperature range is –30 DegC to 70 DegC, as compared to a traditional lithium-ion battery with a range of about 0 DegC to about 50 DegC.
-----The next generation of lithium-ion batteries has improved safety characteristics in part through the use of alternative, nano-sized materials, particularly phosphates. Traditional lithium-ion technology uses active materials with particles that range in size between 5 and 20 microns.
But, more and more, battery manufacturers such as A123Systems of Watertown, Mass., Altair Nanotechnologies, Reno, Nev., and Austin, Texas-based Valence Technology are using particles that have migrated from the micron world to the nano world to boost power, and shelf life while minimizing fire risks.
The greater density of particles provides more surface area on which the ions can travel and generate additional power. In essence, battery power is derived from the diffusion of lithium-ions moving in and out of particles. When particles are smaller, but more numerous, that equates to greater diffusion and much faster kinetics than would be generated with one large particle.
Rick Fulop, co-founder and vice president of business development for A123 Systems, Watertown, Mass., says that the use of nano-sized materials in batteries is the biggest innovation in battery technologies in years and was a key reason that Black & Decker has incorporated the company's batteries in a new line of DeWalt 36 V power tools including a hammerdrill, reciprocating saw, circular saw, impact wrench, rotary hammer, jigsaw, and flashlight.
Fulop says that the ability to control the surface area, the particle size, and the morphology of the active materials used in batteries have brought battery technology to a completely new level. He says his company uses particle sizes below 100 nm without adverse reactions. The batteries can pulse at discharge rates as high as C100, which is the rated capacity in ampere-hours at a constant discharge current, and can deliver more than 3,000 W/kg with a weight to discharge of 0.9 lbs at 1,500 W. Cell temperature range is –30 DegC to 70 DegC, as compared to a traditional lithium-ion battery with a range of about 0 DegC to about 50 DegC.
