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We noted some months ago Maxwell Technologies collaborating with China’s leading Li-ion Tianjin Lishen Battery to combine the strengths of a double layer capacitor with a Li-ion battery. Now Market and technology leaders in battery technology Johnson Controls (Optima, Varta, etc) and SAFT (high end defense and space applications), after winning the Daimler hybrid supply contract and opening a dedicated plant in Nersac France, have announced a development collaboration through which Maxwell will produce lithium-ion battery electrodes for testing and evaluation by Johnson Controls-Saft.

In effect we have gone from a battery versus ultracapacitor logic to merging their respective qualities. Consider, until EEStor proves the contrary with their EESU, that ultracapacitors can only hold a fraction of the electrical charge that batteries can hold (research at MIT seeks to reach 25%) but that capacity can be totally drained with no memory effect, no loss in capacity and much faster charge-discharge times. On the other hand to prolong battery life less than 20% of a chemical battery’s capacity can be used. Combine an ultracapacitor with perhaps 25% of battery capacity but no restrictions on full discharge could actually provide more power and a longer range.

In our marine environment these developments are of great interest as mass production of lithium-ion batteries for hybrid vehicles combining Maxwell’s ultracapacitor technology would allow better capture of renewable energy from multiple sources such as regenerative sailing, solar and of course wind generation. (more…)

Tags: EEStor, hybrid propulsion, Johnson Controls, maxwell technologies, saft, ultracapacitors

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