East Penn has entered into an exclusive agreement with Furukawa Battery Co., LTD., a Japanese battery manufacturing company, to release a revolutionary new battery 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.
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.
While East Penn continues to explore new alternative battery technologies, the company also strongly believes there is a future role for lead-acid technology. This revolutionary lead-acid UltraBattery® as well as other advancements in new battery technology helps prove that East Penn’s beliefs are well founded. The company is excited to explore the use of the UltraBattery® in more than just HEVs, especially in applications where batteries continually operate at a partial state of charge.
East Penn is a leading manufacturer of high quality lead-acid batteries and accessories for the automotive, telecommunications, UPS, commercial, marine, and motive power markets. The company’s quality and environmental systems for its entire 520-acre complex have been certified to ISO 9001:2000, ISO/TS 16949:2002, and ISO 14001:2004 requirements. For more information contact East Penn Manufacturing Co., Inc., Lyon Station, PA 19536 or visit the company web site at www.dekabatteries.com.
