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.