TransForum Vol. 7, No. 2

Nanoexa, Decktron Collaborating with Argonne on Commercialization of Next-Generation Batteries

Nanoexa, a leading nanotechnology-based clean energy company, and Decktron, a lithium battery and display company, jointly announced an agreement to develop and transfer into commercial use new lithium battery technology originally developed at the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE's) Argonne National Laboratory.

Next-generation rechargeable lithium batteries with increased power output, storage capacity, safety, and lifetime will be used in high-rate applications such as plug-in hybrid electric vehicles.

The goal of this agreement is to commercialize next-generation rechargeable lithium battery technologies from Argonne's Battery Technology Department. Together, the organizations will introduce into the marketplace batteries with increased power output, storage capacity, safety, and lifetime that will be used in high-rate applications such as hybrid electric vehicles, power tools, and radio-controlled devices.

"The recent news about laptop battery safety has exposed the limitations of current rechargeable battery technologies. One of the primary goals of Argonne's battery technology is to dramatically improve lithium battery safety," said Michael Pak, CEO of Nanoexa. "Argonne's R&D expertise in developing lithium battery materials as well as its deep relationships with the world's automotive makers will create a powerful opportunity for our company. We look forward to expanding our strategic relationship with Argonne even further."

"As part of the FreedomCAR Partnership between DOE and U.S. automobile manufacturers, we at Argonne have been conducting research and development to help industrial battery developers lower cost and increase the lifetime and inherent safety of high-power lithium batteries," said Gary Henriksen, Manager of Argonne's Battery Technology Department. "These new Argonne-developed technologies could help lithium-ion batteries enter the automotive market. Also, we believe that some of these technologies could lead to improved (longer life and inherently safer) batteries for consumer electronic applications. We look forward to working with Nanoexa and Decktron to demonstrate our technologies in commercial cells and batteries."

Lithium batteries are the most popular rechargeable battery for consumer electronics such as mobile phones, digital cameras, camcorders, and laptop computers. As a result of their success in these applications, lithium batteries are now used in other applications such as electric vehicles, hybrid electric vehicles, power tools, and specialty battery applications that typically rely upon less-efficient NiCD (nickel cadmium) or NiMH (nickel metal hydride) technologies. Lithium batteries are 20% to 50% lighter than either NiCD or NiMH and can provide greater energy and power per unit of volume and weight.

Analysts predict that by 2010, automakers will annually sell more than three million hybrid cars around the world, generating battery sales of over $3 billion. Lithium batteries already represent a global market of $6 billion, growing at 10% to 15% per year.

August 27, 2007