I’m reporting from the IDF09 battery technology session.
Here’s what’s been happening in Li-Ion tech.
“3% per year improvements in capacity (watt-hours)” If you ask me, that’s peanuts. Chemistry research not keeping up with Moore’s Law 
Battery packs aren’t just cells…
11:27 am.
Trends – Thin and light systems and their effect on battery packs. Here;s a nice diagram that explains how cell types affect design.
Prismatic cells 40% more expensive for same capacity.
Clearly cylindrical cells are more common.
Next few years:
More than 2600mah in a standard cell. (the ‘18650’ cell)
11:30 Sasmung now talking.
Samsung say 33% of customers willing to pay $45 for an extra hour
Inside a Samsung Cell.
Getting technical now…. Samsungs secret sauce for 3.0A
New technologys…. Silicon based anode. Getting too technical for me here!!!!
Bottom line: 30% improvement in Q3 2010. Sounds too good to be true. I’ve heard these sort of promises before!
11:42 Panasonic presenting…
Strategy slide:
NNP – Nickel-based New Platform announced.
Generations of Li-Ion Li-Ion cells. 2nd generation is the currently available technology.
Reducing pack size to save money with higher-capacity cells.
11:55 Intel summary slide.
That’s all from the battery technology session at IDF09. I’ll continue to report on mobility topics at MeetMobility so check back regularly for updates.
September 22nd, 2009 at 8:23 pm
In recent years we’ve heard of nanowire li-ion batteries, new cathode materials/structures that improve charging speed etc. and all sorts of discoveries that have been cautiously predicted to exit the laboratories and enter the markets within about a decade. It was nice to read about the short term visions for a change!