Composite change batteries
A French undertaking has developed a processing means by which they can produce high performance cells without shortening the life span of the battery. The problem battery manufacturers continue to adress is in how to reduce the Co content without increasing the corrosion rate. By modifying the contents of a cell's other components and by fine tuning the metallurgical treatment of these alloys i.e. adaptation of suitable alloy compositions, rapid quenching techniques and optimised annealing temperatures, has resulted in the direct improvement of the cycle stability of batteries. This translates directly into an improvement of the battery's life cycle. A prototype evaluation of AA cells clearly shows that their process does not influence the cycling stability in any negative manner, and in comparing it to reference alloys, the newly developed alloy enjoys a similar life cycle of conventional batteries. While further research and development is sought, the manufacture of these new alloys for batteries proves suitable for all equipment but particularly for those portable electronic tools that require high storage devices such as computers. Additionally, low capacity loss batteries produced at low cost, are of particular interest to the electric vehicle industry.
