A123Systems is a developer of next generation Lithium-Ion batteries. Founded in 2001, A123Systems’ proprietary nanoscale electrode technology is built on initial developments from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Li-Ion Camera Battery Lithium ion batteries (or Li-ion) have become very common and dropped in price recently. ... A mite next to a gear set produced using MEMS, the precursor to nanotechnology. ... The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) is a private, coeducational research university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts. ...

Major investors in the company include General Electric's Commercial Finance division, Alliance Capital, FA Technology Ventures, North Bridge Venture Partners, Sequoia Capital, OnPoint, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Motorola, Qualcomm, and Proctor & Gamble, through its Duracell division. GE redirects here. ... The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) is a private, coeducational research university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts. ... Motorola (NYSE: MOT) is an American multinational communications company based in Schaumburg, Illinois, a Chicago suburb. ... Qualcomm (NASDAQ: QCOM) is a wireless telecommunications research and development company based in San Diego, California. ... Procter & Gamble Co. ... A pair of Duracell AAA batteries. ...

History

In November 2005, A123Systems announced^[1] a new higher power, faster recharging Li-Ion battery system^[2][3] based on research licensed from MIT. Their first cell is in production (1Q/2006)^[4] and being used in DeWalt power tools and Hybrids Plus Prius PHEV conversions (although the conversion costs more than $10,000, mostly due to the price of the batteries). DeWALT is a world-wide brand of power tools for the construction and woodworking industries. ... Hybrids Plus logo Hybrids Plus is company devoted to converting Hybrid Electric Vehicles ( HEVs) to Plug-in Hybrids (PHEVs). ... A plug-in hybrid electric vehicle or gas-electric hybrid fueled vehicle is a hybrid which has additional battery capacity and the ability to be recharged from an external electrical outlet. ...

In December 2006, A123Systems was awarded a $15 million development contract by the United States Advanced Battery Consortium (USABC), an organization composed of DaimlerChrysler Corporation, Ford Motor Company and General Motors Corporation. USABC awarded the contract in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to optimize the A123Systems proprietary doped nanophosphate battery technology for hybrid electric vehicle applications with a focus on systems that are high-power, abuse-tolerant, long lasting and cost effective. The United States Department of Energy (DOE) is a Cabinet-level department of the United States government responsible for energy policy and nuclear safety. ... Above is a ball-and-stick model of the inorganic hydrogenphosphate anion (HPO42−). Colour coding: P (orange); O (red); H (white). ...

On February 26 2007, President of A123Systems David Vieau met with President George W. Bush and Energy Secretary Samuel Bodman at the White House to inspect a Battery Range Extender Module that can be easily installed in the spare tire well of most hybrid vehicles. This would enable current production models to become plug-in hybrids capable of achieving 150 or more miles per gallon and optionally replace the discharged battery in the module, instead of recharge it, to extend the range. George Walker Bush (born July 6, 1946) is the 43rd and current President of the United States, inaugurated on January 20, 2001. ... Samuel Wright Bodman III, Sc. ... For other uses, see White House (disambiguation). ... Lithium-ion battery pack, with cover removed, in CalCars plug-in hybrid converted Toyota Prius. ...

In May 2007,BAE Systems announced that, starting in 2008, it will offering A123´s lithium ion battery technology as part of its HybriDrive Propulsion System used in hybrid buses BAE Systems plc is the worlds fourth largest defence contractor,[3] the largest in Europe and a commercial aerospace manufacturer. ...

Uses

Batteries developed by A123Systems are being used in the following products:

Power Tools

Black & Decker is currently using batteries made by A123Systems in a line of Dewalt power tools, as a heavy-duty 36-volt power tool platform. The 36-volt power tools provide users with increased levels of power and runtime, at a similar or less weight than their corded counterparts. The line includes a hammerdrill, reciprocating saw, circular saw, impact wrench, rotary hammer, jigsaw, flashlight and combo kits. Black & Decker (NYSE: BDK) is a corporation based in Towson, Maryland, that is best known for power tools and home appliances. ... DeWALT is a world-wide brand of power tools for the construction and woodworking industries. ... Reciprocating saws are saws with a straight blade mounted at the end of a gun-like body. ... Invented in England in 1780, the circular saw (also known as the buzz saw in the USA) is a metal disc or blade with saw teeth on the edge as well as the machine that causes the disk to spin. ... A 1/2 drive pistol-grip air impact wrench An impact wrench (also knows as an air wrench, air gun, or just gun in some contexts, as well as rattle gun in some countries) is a socket wrench power tool designed to deliver high torque output with minimal exertion by... A Bosch power jigsaw A jigsaw is a type of saw used for cutting arbitrary curves, such as stenciled designs or other custom shapes, into a piece of wood or similar material. ...

Vehicles

• Saturn VUE Green Line plug-in hybrid development program
• Venture Vehicles VentureOne
• Model airplanes (electric powered)

The Saturn VUE is a mid-size crossover SUV from General Motors Saturn marque. ... Lithium-ion battery pack, with cover removed, in CalCars plug-in hybrid converted Toyota Prius. ... The VentureOne is an electric vehicle being developed by Venture Vehicles for sale in July 2008, as claimed in Feb 2007. ... Aircraft modeling or aeromodelling is a hobby that has been popular since the 1930s. ...

See also

• FreedomCAR
• Hymotion

FreedomCAR is a USA national program developing more energy efficient and environmentally friendly highway transportation technologies that will enable America to use less petroleum. ...

References

1. ^ http://www.a123systems.com/html/news/articles/051102_news.html
2. ^ http://www.greencarcongress.com/2005/11/a123systems_lau.html#more
3. ^ http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/gridable-hybrids/message/2099
4. ^ http://hybrids-plus.com/pmwiki/index.php?n=Ext.A123Cells

External links

• Official website