June 12, 2012

A123 Systems Introduces Breakthrough Lithium Ion Battery Technology That Optimizes Performance in Extreme Temperatures

June 12, 2012 No Comments

A123 Systems Introduces Breakthrough Lithium Ion Battery Technology That Optimizes Performance in Extreme Temperatures
New Nanophosphate EXT(TM) Enables Game-Changing Performance at Extreme High and Low Temperatures for Transportation, Telecommunications and Other Applications
WALTHAM, Mass., June 12, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — A123 Systems (Nasdaq:AONE), a developer and manufacturer of advanced Nanophosphate(R) lithium iron phosphate batteries and systems, today introduced Nanophosphate EXT(TM), a new lithium ion battery technology capable of operating at extreme temperatures without requiring thermal management. Nanophosphate EXT is designed to significantly reduce or eliminate the need for heating or cooling systems, which is expected to create sizeable new opportunities within the transportation and telecommunications markets, among others.
“We believe Nanophosphate EXT is a game-changing breakthrough that overcomes one of the key limitations of lead acid, standard lithium ion and other advanced batteries. By delivering high power, energy and cycle life capabilities over a wider temperature range, we believe Nanophosphate EXT can reduce or even eliminate the need for costly thermal management systems, which we expect will dramatically enhance the business case for deploying A123’s lithium ion battery solutions for a significant number of applications,” said David Vieau, CEO of A123 Systems. “We continue to emphasize innovation with a commercial purpose, and we expect Nanophosphate EXT to strengthen our competitive position in existing target markets as well as create new opportunities for applications that previously were not possible to cost-effectively serve with lithium ion batteries.”

U.S. Army researcher in a lab coat and safety glasses works with battery cells and test equipment in an Army Research Laboratory bench setting.

Army scientists energize battery research 30 Percent

June 12, 2012 No Comments

By: David McNally, RDECOM Public Affairs
ADELPHI, Md. (June 1, 2012) — Army scientists are squeezing more power from batteries by developing new methods and materials with incredible results.
“Our battery group has recently developed some new materials that could potentially increase the energy density of batteries by 30 percent,” said Cynthia Lundgren, electrochemical branch chief at the U.S. Army Research Laboratory.
This small group of scientists work on energy and power solutions for America’s Soldiers.
“This 30 percent is actually quite a big deal. Typically improvements range about one percent a year with a few step changes,” Lundgren said.
For years, researchers studied how batteries work. They looked at how each component reacts with another. At high voltages batteries are extremely energetic systems.

Great Lakes Initiative Cleanup Helps Restore Grand Calumet River

June 12, 2012 No Comments

CHICAGO (June 11, 2012) – The recent completion of a $52 million project to rid Roxana Marsh of contaminated sediment will speed the recovery of Indiana’s Grand Calumet River, marking a step forward for one of the Great Lakes’ most complex Area of Concern cleanups. Representatives from U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the State of Indiana were joined by Congressman Pete Visclosky to discuss the project’s impact at an event today in East Chicago, Indiana.
More than 575,000 cubic yards of sediment contaminated with PCBs and PAHs (polychlorinated biphenyls and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons), heavy metals and pesticides were removed or isolated from the marsh and the river. Fish consumption advisories, loss of habitat and other environmental problems in the Grand Calumet have largely been caused by contaminated sediment.
“The work by federal, state, county, city and other partners over the years has helped deliver real results under the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative,” said Cameron Davis, Senior Advisor to the EPA Administrator. “The work we’re talking about today will help give the Grand Cal a fighting chance to be grand again. But we can’t stop here. We’re looking for new partners to match funds to accelerate cleanups in other Areas of Concern around the Great Lakes.”