Zinc Matrix Power unveils silver-zinc battery as li-ion alternative

Posted on Thursday, September 28 2006 @ 15:17 CEST by Thomas De Maesschalck
Zinc Matrix Power, developer of new, rechargeable battery technology based on silver, zinc and water, will demonstrate its product at the Intel Developers Forum (IDF) 2006 Conference, September 26 – 28, 2006 in San Francisco, CA.

The company announces that its new battery technology has three powerful advantages over traditional lithium-ion batteries. "First of all, the inherent chemistry of our batteries based mostly on silver, zinc and water is safer," explains Dr. Ross Dueber, president and CEO of Zinc Matrix Power, Inc. "Secondly, these high-energy batteries can significantly improve upon the performance of existing lithium-ion batteries used in notebook computers and cellular phones. And finally, Zinc Matrix Power uses an environmentally friendly chemistry which allows battery cells to be recycled and the contents reused."

Visitors to the Zinc Matrix Power booth at IDF Fall 2006 will see a demonstration of a notebook computer battery using silver-zinc technology. This technology contains no lithium or flammable liquids and is free from the problems of thermal runaway, fire and danger of explosion. These batteries are also free from the regulations that limit the size of lithium-containing batteries on airplanes.



In addition to the intrinsic safety offered by the ZMP cells, a notebook PC battery pack using ZMP cells can be expected to provide longer run-time than equivalent Li-ion based battery packs. The combination of longer run-time, safety, and an unrestricted pack capacity (not restricted by Li-ion battery regulations for in-flight use) make Zinc Matrix Power battery cells an attractive proposition for notebook PC OEMs.

In addition to addressing the needs of notebook computer and cell phone manufacturers, Zinc Matrix Power rechargeable battery technology has applications for the military, government, retail, and broadcast (mobile TV) markets.

Having raised more than $35 million in funding, Zinc Matrix Power's investors include Power Ventures, a large private equity group, IntelTM Capital and OnPointTM Technologies, a strategic private equity firm funded by the United States Army. Tyco Electronics, part of Tyco International, is the company's global manufacturing partner. Zinc Matrix Power batteries will be available to device manufacturers for evaluation and testing in early 2007.

The staff at Zinc Matrix Power is made up of technology industry veterans and is supported by Intel. The company is led by Dr. Ross Dueber, president and CEO. Dr. Dueber was invited to speak to the President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST) in April 2006. "PCAST's request for his presence at their meeting signifies the tremendous interest our battery technology is generating within governmental and commercial sectors," says Arthur N. Budge, Jr., chairman of Zinc Matrix Power. "We believe our battery has the potential to change the game much like lithium-ion did with its introduction in the early 90's."


About the Author

Thomas De Maesschalck

Thomas has been messing with computer since early childhood and firmly believes the Internet is the best thing since sliced bread. Enjoys playing with new tech, is fascinated by science, and passionate about financial markets. When not behind a computer, he can be found with running shoes on or lifting heavy weights in the weight room.



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