New Sony Rechargeable Battery Has 4X The Lifespan Of Current Li-Ion Batteries.

[kanxrus]

Sony has announced a new type of lithium ion rechargeable battery that combines high-power and long-life performance, using olivine-type lithium iron phosphate as the cathode material. The Olivine-type lithium iron phosphate used in this new battery is a perfect cathode material due to its robust crystal structure and stable performance, even at high temperatures. These bateries have a high power density of 1800W/kg, and extended life span of approximately 2,000 charge-discharge cycles. What’s most surprising is that the battery will keep an 80% charge retention after those 2,000 charge-discharge cycles, which is very impressive.

This new battery is also able to charge rapidly (99% in 30 minutes). It will first be supplied for use in power tools, then gradually make its way to consumer electronic electronic devices. With lithium ion secondary batteries able to deliver both compact size and high capacity, their usage continues to diversify and grow. This new battery delivers an extended life-span of over four-times existing rechargeable lithium ion batteries used in conventional electronic devices. By adding this high-power, long-life lithium ion rechargeable battery to its lineup, Sony has certainly strengthened its battery business going forward. Here are some specifications:

[joomla]

in reality, closer to 1.5x.

[golden valley const.]

These seem great, specifically the 2000x cycles, but is that really what's important?  There are new Samsung cells with 1.5 amp-hours and 25 amp discharge rate, and higher voltage.  50% more watt-hours per cell of the same size, and 40% more power, at least on paper.  These are used in Milwaukees RedLithium. 

The sacrifice is fewer cycles, but really, how many people use 2000 cycles before the battery just gets old.  Lithium batteries wear out even when you don't use them.  As a general contractor, I probably use less than 125 full cycles per year per battery.  With 4 batteries, that's 2 full battery charges of work every single work day of the year.

[Madtec]

With Lithium, sometimes the numbers can be misleading........

[golden valley const.]

Very true, the DeWalt type batteries seem to have a higher capacity at 10-20C than the other brands.  Tool batteries should be rated at 10C or higher.  I think battery manufacturers measure them at 1C or .1C.  Somewhere I once saw some actual capacity tests at different discharge rates.

[Madtec]

This cell is currently used in compact 18 and 14.4v batteries, Sony just released it for commercial use; basically this cell is available to be used in power tools  :-\