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The Replacement For the Battery?

Posted by kdawson on from the charge-it dept.

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.'"

7 of 318 comments (clear)

  1. I don't know about you but... by Quick+Sick+Nick · · Score: 5, Funny

    I find this shocking.

    1. Re:I don't know about you but... by fyngyrz · · Score: 5, Funny

      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.

      --
      I've fallen off your lawn, and I can't get up.
  2. Good news, bad news... by bobdotorg · · Score: 4, Funny

    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.

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    __ Someday, but not this morning, I'll finally learn to use the preview button.
  3. Re:Can I buy stock in this company? by ThePopeLayton · · Score: 5, Funny

    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.

  4. Re:I hope they last long by Brickwall · · Score: 4, Funny
    >> ultracapacitors.. we had supercapacitors till now.. >> whats next.. ubercapacitors? ubersuperultracapacitors.. googlecapacitors!

    I for one welcome our new googlecapacitor overlords.

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    What was once true, is no longer so
  5. Re:Why are they even trying to do cars? by Harmonious+Botch · · Score: 4, Funny

    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?

  6. Re:Why are they even trying to do cars? by soft_guy · · Score: 5, Funny

    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.
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    Avoid Missing Ball for High Score