Phosphate adds new life to batteries

Advanced Battery Technology, Apr 2002

Valence Technology of Austin, Texas, has developed a new technology, Saphion, that offers longer battery life and will cost less than current lithium-ion batteries. The company is replacing cobalt with phosphate as the cathode material in its lithium-ion batteries, allowing them to be more stable and less expensive, according to CEO and President Stephan Godevais.

Saphion and devices using its technology are expected to hit the market as early as this spring. Godevais added that notebook manufacturers are likely to be the first to adopt the new technology.

Innovations in batteries are few and far between, and many are looking to fuel cells as the next generational leap. But Godevais said that leap may be further off than expected. "There is little doubt that fuel cells will be big, but Saphion will be the battery technology of choice for the next ten years, until fuel cells begin to take over."

Analyst reaction to the announcement was mixed. One market analyst wondered whether the company could get the batteries to market. "Many companies are making innovations but have found that transferring something from the labs to the street is often a challenging process."

Sara Bradford, an analyst with market consulting firm Frost & Sullivan, agreed that getting the word out would be a hurdle, but said, "In terms of cost and being environmentally friendly, this fulfills the needs" of original equipment manufacturers.

Richard Doherty of The Envisioneering Group said Valence's strong intellectual property puts it in a good position. Valence has more than 790 issued and pending patents worldwide, including 284 issued in the U.S.

Godevais said batteries using the new technology would cost 30% to 40% less than batteries using cobalt, and that notebooks using similarly sized batteries would last about two hours longer with Saphion than with cobalt.

Valence's new portable battery system, N-Charge, which will recharge and run two mobile devices simultaneously, will use the Saphion technology and power a notebook for ten continuous hours or a cell phone for five days of talk time. It should be available this spring.