From aftermarketNews Staff & Wire Reports
LYON STATION, Pa. — East Penn has entered into an exclusive agreement with Furukawa Battery Co. Ltd., a Japanese battery manufacturing company, to release the new “UltraBattery” technology in North America. The UltraBattery, which will be manufactured by East Penn, combines an enhanced power negative electrode in a lead-acid battery.
The new technology enhances the ability of the battery to accept and deliver high levels of power with low levels of electrical resistance similar to a supercapacitor. Traditionally, supercapacitor and lead-acid batteries are separate components relying on electronic controllers and complex algorithms to switch power between both units. This new technology eliminates the need for additional electronic control and multiple energy storage devices.
According to East Penn, the UltraBattery is ideal for Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEVs), which rely on a battery operated electric motor to meet peak power needs during acceleration and recapture energy normally wasted through braking to recharge the battery. In certain life cycle tests, this new battery, invented by CSIRO (Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization), the Australian national science agency, and developed/manufactured by Furukawa Battery Co., has exceeded the life cycles of its Nickel Metal Hydride counterpart for HEV applications. In addition to higher cycles, the UltraBattery utilizes a less cost-intensive technology and is easier to recycle than Nickel Metal Hydride and Lithium-Ion batteries, said the company.
While East Penn continues to explore new alternative battery technologies, the company also strongly believes there is a future role for lead-acid technology.
For more information about East Penn Manufacturing Co., visit: www.dekabatteries.com.
