DOE grant to advance ECD technologies in Russia

Advanced Battery Technology, Apr 2002

Energy Conversion Devices Inc., Rochester Hills, Michigan, has announced that the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has awarded a new $750,000 cost-shared grant to Sovlux Battery, ECD's U.S.-Russian joint venture with the Chepetsky Mechanical Plant in Glazov, Russia, and the Russian Ministry of Atomic Energy for the further development of ECD's proprietary metal-hydride technology to provide clean energy for the Russian market.

The grant was awarded under the DOE's Initiatives for Proliferation Prevention program, which provides funding to employ scientists and engineers, formerly engaged in the production of metal alloys for nuclear weapons, in the preproduction and qualification of materials for use in nickelmetal-hydride batteries for such applications as hybrid-electric vehicles and electric scooters. A variation of the materials may be used for hydrogen storage systems.

Stanford Ovshinsky, ECD's president and CEO, said, "This award will help to convert Russia's previously large nuclear weapons industry to build new, needed industries for clean energy production. It will also contribute to U.S. economic growth, U.S.-Russian scientific collaboration, a safer and more sustainable energy future, and reduction of environmental pollution and greenhouse gases."

Panasonic's New Nickel-Zinc Battery

Panasonic, a division of Japan's Matsushita, has developed a new disposable AA battery based on nickel-zinc that it says will last longer than a typical alkaline battery. The company says its batteries should allow for an average of 50 more shots than with comparable batteries aimed at digital cameras: the Duracell M3, from Gillette's Duracell unit, and the Energizer E2 battery. The new batteries will start shipping to retailers in May.

Exide Begins Absolyte Consolidation

Exide Technologies plans to transfer its Absolyte UP manufacturing from the Kankakee, Illinois, facility into its other North American industrial battery manufacturing operations. This consolidation is part of the company's global manufacturing restructuring initiatives and is expected to be complete by the end of 2002. This move will deliver significant operational manufacturing efficiencies without interruption of supply.

Absolyte is a premium brand of sealed industrial batteries that provides backup solutions for today's wired and wireless voice, data, and multimedia networks. The patented designs are based on 20 years of expertise in the design and manufacture of sealed lead-acid battery systems.

For details, contact Keith Schmid or Bruce Cole, Exide Technologies, (800) 872-0471, or www.exide.com