Battery breakthrough pumps up A123 stock

[atlaw4u]

Michigan employer says new battery can take extreme hot, cold

David Shepardson - DETROITNEWS - June 13, 2012

Battery startup A123 Systems Inc.'s stock soared Tuesday, climbing 52 percent on the company's claim that it has reached a breakthrough in advanced battery technology.

Its stock closed at $1.58, up $0.54 a share, but below its intraday high of $1.65. That was still far below its 52-week high of $5.91.

The Waltham, Mass.-based company with 780 Michigan workers has faced problems, including layoffs and the recall of some batteries over safety concerns.

The company said it had developed a new lithium-ion phosphate battery — Nanophosphate EXT.

It is designed to operate at temperature extremes and significantly reduces or eliminates need for heating or cooling systems. That's expected to create 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," said David Vieau, CEO of A123 Systems.

Amid struggling electric auto sales, A123 said last month there was "substantial doubt" about the company's viability. It is a supplier for many electric vehicles, including General Motors Co.'s upcoming Spark.

The company said this month it plans to hire 400 in Michigan, required as part of federal and state support. That news came after it laid off workers last year... [Read More]

[herm]

The wonders of a publicity release

[RichXKU]

Aye... I always hope for the best, but we have been promised a 'battery breakthrough', 'game changer', or 'amazing advancement' EVERY 6 months for the past 25 years.
You'd think the investors would be jaded by now too.

[Jay]

It seems A123 would be a much stronger company if it were allowed to conduct its affairs without the heavy hand of the govt. telling it to hire people it doesn't need, spend money it doesn't need to spend, and meet sales quotas that bear no relation to current demand. They should be held up as an example for other companies tempted to make a deal with the devil.

[phoebeisis]

So no increased energy density?
Just don't need as powerful a fan to cool the battery pack and they will work better in Alaska.
The BP setup can be a bit cheaper/simpler since it doesn't need much cooling/heating- but we are talking a couple hundred $ cheaper -maybe-and perhaps a few lbs lighter

Well this is good- but.....

Hey what ever happened to that Capacitor research corp in TX that was regularly making great claims??

[Right Lane Cruiser]

You mean E-Stor?

[herm]

This A123 is intended to replace lead-acid starting batteries in cars, so hopefully no need for cooling. The market is for micro hybrids with stop-start systems instead of using fancy lead-acid.. there is also competing tech going after the same market using a carbon foam in place of lead. I prefer GM's eAssist instead.

Carbon lead-acid batteries:

http://www.axionpower.com/

Axion seems to be still alive and making progress

http://www.fireflyenergy.com/

Not sure whats going on with Firefly

Axion press release describes what a micro hybrid needs:

http://www.axionpower.com/profiles/i...&Category=1562

U.S. DOE Awards Grant to Axion Power International to Fund Commercialization Plan for PbC® Batteries In Micro-Hybrid Vehicles

[CRT1]

Originally Posted by phoebeisis

Just don't need as powerful a fan to cool the battery pack and they will work better in Alaska.

I thought thermal management was the limiting factor in recharge time, no? Recharge time is a bigger limiting factor than cost, weight, energy density, etc to widespread market acceptance IMO.

It takes 5 minutes to fill your tank with gas, (20 minutes if you have a FSP ). 5 minutes for a 50 mile "top-off" charge and 30 min to full recharge and now we are talking!!

[phoebeisis]

CRT1-
What you say makes sense
BUT- the press release says NOTHING about greatly decreased charging times.
If their new tech would cut charge times in half- wouldn't they have mentioned it?
Of course 1/2 of 4 hours=2 hours-still a hell of a long time!!!
If they ever get to 5 minutes per 50 miles- maybe 12kwhrs stuffed in in 5 minutes-that would be SPECTACULAR- but that is maybe 30x faster than current recharge rates.

When we travel we stop every 100 miles-bathroom, walk dog ,stretch legs- yeah 5 minute stop per 50 miles-fine with me!!
Our 44 gallon FSP can be filled in under 10 minutes- gallon every 10 seconds or so.I only ran down to 42 gallons once-920 miles- $177 in 2008-AZ gas was $4.20 !!

[herm]

this release is not for batteries used in a plug-in.. usually the cylindrical A123 cells can be charged to 100% in 15 minutes but most bev owners just take a few seconds when they get home and plug it in. Not every car has to have long range.