Nanoexa, Decktron to collaborate with Argonne
on commercialization of next generation batteries
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ARGONNE, Ill. (Sept. 27, 2006) – NanoeXa, a leading nanotechnology-based
clean energy company, and Decktron, a lithium battery and display company,
today jointly announced a definitive agreement to develop and transfer into
commercial use new lithium battery technology originally developed at the U.S.
Department of Energy's Argonne National Laboratory.
The goal of this agreement is to commercialize next generation rechargeable
lithium battery technologies from Argonne's Battery
Technology Department.
Together, the organizations will introduce into the marketplace batteries with
increased power output, storage capacity, safety and lifetime that will be
used in high-rate applications such as hybrid/electric vehicles, power tools
and radio-controlled devices.
“The recent news about laptop battery safety has exposed the limitations of
current rechargeable battery technologies. One of the primary goals of Argonne's battery technology is to dramatically improve lithium battery safety,” said
Michael Pak, CEO of NanoeXa. “ Argonne's R&D expertise in developing lithium
battery materials as well as their deep relationships with the world's automotive
makers will create a powerful opportunity for our company. We look forward
to expanding our strategic relationship with Argonne even further.”
“As part of the FreedomCAR
Partnership between the U.S. Department of Energy
(DOE) and U.S. automobile manufacturers, we at Argonne have been conducting
research and development to help industrial battery developers lower cost and
increase the lifetime and inherent safety of high-power lithium batteries” said
Gary Henriksen, Manager of Argonne's Battery Technology Department. “These
new Argonne-developed technologies could help lithium-ion batteries enter the
automotive market. Also, we believe that some of these technologies could lead
to improved (longer life and inherently safer) batteries for consumer electronic
applications. We look forward to working with NanoeXa and Decktron to demonstrate
our technologies in commercial cells and batteries.”
Lithium batteries are the most popular rechargeable battery for consumer electronics
such as mobile phones, digital cameras, camcorders and laptop computers. As
a result of their success in these applications, lithium batteries are now
used in other applications such as electric vehicles, hybrid electric vehicles,
power tools and specialty battery applications that typically rely upon less
efficient NiCD (nickel cadmium) or NiMH (nickel metal hydride) technologies.
Lithium batteries are 20-50 percent lighter than either NiCD or NiMH and can
provide greater energy and power per unit of volume and weight.
Analysts predict that by 2010 automakers will annually sell more than 3 million
hybrid cars around the world, generating battery sales of over $3 billion.
Lithium batteries already represent a global market of $6 billion, growing
at 10-15 percent per year.
About NanoeXa
NanoeXa is a nanotechnology-based clean energy company creating new applications
that use nanotechnology and computational modeling innovation to dramatically
improve material performance in clean energy products such as lithium batteries
and solar cells. NanoeXa has assembled an extensive lithium battery intellectual
property portfolio and has developed a computational modeling platform technology
that offers a unique and powerful way to design and validate material design
from the quantum level. In 2006, NanoeXa acquired a controlling interest in
Decktron, a South Korea-based company offering highly efficient, environmentally
sustainable battery technologies. Nanoexa is based in South San Francisco,
California. For further information, visit www.nanoexa.com.
About Decktron
Decktron is an advanced technology and manufacturing company currently selling
lithium batteries and flat panel displays, including LCD and PDP, generating
global revenues of $100 million in 2005. Decktron's growth strategy is focused
on delivering next generation lithium batteries that offer exceptional performance
and safety levels. Decktron is publicly traded on the Korean Stock Exchange (KOSDAQ:
053070) and is headquartered in Seoul, South Korea. For further information,
visit www.decktron.com
Argonne National Laboratory seeks solutions to pressing national problems in science and technology.
The nation's first national laboratory, Argonne conducts leading-edge basic
and applied scientific research in virtually every scientific discipline. Argonne
researchers work closely with researchers from hundreds of companies, universities,
and federal, state and municipal agencies to help them solve their specific
problems, advance America 's scientific leadership and prepare the nation for
a better future. With employees from more than 60 nations, Argonne is managed
by UChicago
Argonne, LLC for
the U.S.
Department of Energy's Office
of Science.
For more information please contact Catherine Foster (630-252-5580 or cfoster@anl.gov)
at Argonne, or Doug Wyllie (415-977-1930 or doug@antennagroup.com) at Antenna Group Public Relations.
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