The Replacement For the Battery?

jackd writes "Great article in Technology Review, bordering on 'too good to be true,' about a small company in Texas that is developing the replacement for the electrochemical battery. The device is a kind of hybrid battery-ultracapacitor based on barium-titanate powders. Quoting: 'The company boldly claims that its system... will dramatically outperform the best lithium-ion batteries on the market in terms of energy density, price, charge time, and safety... The implications are enormous and, for many, unbelievable. Such a breakthrough has the potential to radically transform a transportation sector already flirting with an electric renaissance.'"

Comments

Pound for pound.

[Tackhead]

> Ultracapacitors have many advantages over traditional electrochemical batteries. Unlike batteries, "ultracaps" can completely absorb and release a charge at high rates and in a virtually endless cycle with little degradation.

10 amp-hour 12V Li-Ion Battery: 500 grams ($100).

versus

10 amp-hour 12V Ultracapacitor (or 36-amp-second 12kV ultracapacitor): 50 grams ($100).
Current-limiting resistor of sufficient wattage rating to ensure that ultracapacitor storing that much energy won't vaporize any conductor that it happens to touch...: 450g. ($Priceless)

I don't know about you but...

[Quick Sick Nick]

I find this shocking.

Re:I don't know about you but...

[fyngyrz]

I've been insulated from this kind of humor all my life, and frankly, it made me want to bolt. I'm trying to resist, but my capacity for remaining grounded has charged off over the horizon, transforming me from a person who inducts current events into their personality to one who follows an entirely different arc.

Re:I hope they last long

[fred fleenblat]

>> ultracapacitors.. we had supercapacitors till now..
>> whats next.. ubercapacitors? ubersuperultracapacitors..

googlecapacitors!

Good news, bad news...

[bobdotorg]

The good news: everything in the article is true, and they've already started production with a major worldwide OEM.

The bad news: it's Sony.

Re:Good news, bad news...

[ScrewMaster]

The bad news: it's Sony.

The news is still good ... after the inclusion of a detonator they've been repurposed as low-cost cluster bombs for the U.S. military.

Re:Can I buy stock in this company?

[ThePopeLayton]

If you are ready to buy stock in this company after reading this article. I own a business that you might want to buy stock in. My company makes food replicators, the kind on star trek. We don't have a working model yet but it should be out in a year or two. Please send checks to.... you will receive your stock certificates in 6-8 weeks.

Re:I hope they last long

[Brickwall]

>> ultracapacitors.. we had supercapacitors till now.. >> whats next.. ubercapacitors? ubersuperultracapacitors.. googlecapacitors!

I for one welcome our new googlecapacitor overlords.

Re:Why are they even trying to do cars?

[Harmonious Botch]

Becuause the State of the Union speech is tonight?

Ok, this will sound like conspiracy theory stuff, but is it not interesting that a small company in *Texas* just happens to announce a 10- to 20-fold imrovement on battery technology - and emphasises cars more than they ought to - just when an embattled prez is preparing to announce new domestic energy policies, and is widely blamed for foreign policies that are driving up oil prices?

Re:Why are they even trying to do cars?

[soft_guy]

You obviously don't live in a very cold climate. When I was growing up, I had to use jumper cables routinely in the winter. I agree with your basic point, but I think that car batteries could still stand some improvement. Don't worry. Thanks to wide spread use of cars, there won't be any cold climates much longer, so this won't be a problem.