A Closer Look at EcoloCap's (ECOS) CNT-Battery Technology
EcoloCap Solutions, Inc. (ECOS), with its subsidiary Micro Bubble Technologies Inc., is developing a new battery technology that could disrupt the market for rivals like Ener1, Inc. (HEV) and Valence Technology, Inc. (VLNC).
Ecolocap has applied its nanotechnology expertise to convert existing battery technologies (such as lead-acid and lithium-ion) into new and improved Carbon Nano Tube Batteries (CNT-Battery). The process involves plating the battery anode and cathode surfaces with carbon nano tubes and modifying the electrolyte in order to reduce internal resistance and thereby increase energy available.
The Technology
The CNT-Batteries proprietary technology modifies the fabrication of lead acid batteries by applying a highly-conductive carbon nano tube coating to the anode and cathode cells. As a result, conductive surface area is increased by a factor of billions and electricity is carried out more efficiently.
Traditionally, nano tubes have been difficult to synthesize, as they tend to appear in abnormal shapes and cluster together. The company’s proprietary manufacturing process has perfected the production of 99.99% pure carbon nano tubes.
When these complete carbon nano tubes are introduced to a battery along with modified electrolytes, the batteries internal resistance or impendence is greatly reduced. A lower internal resistance due to increased surface area and the modified electrolytes eliminate heat build-up during charging and discharging. The lower operating temperatures significantly extend battery life and eliminate combustibility and shorts.
The CNT-Battery’s advanced technology demonstrates eight times the reserve capacity of traditional lead acid batteries, two and a half times the energy density of lithium-ion batteries, and a recharge time of just five minutes; all at a fraction of the cost of lithium-ion batteries. Its diverse applications range from electric cars to cell towers and feature numerous economical and environmental benefits.
The Potential
The CNT-Battery has been put to the test in several independent labs, which have found the following characteristics when applied to lead-acid batteries:
- Eight times the reserve capacity of a similar battery.
- Three times the energy density of a lithium-ion battery.
- 99.99% recyclability to keep the environment clean.
- Recharge time of just 5 to 10 minutes total.
- Enhanced life-time of the battery by 10 times or more.
- Roughly the same cost as the original lead-acid battery.
Currently, batteries on the market do not meet many of the demands for new applications. Back-up power and electric cars require substantially greater reserve capacity than traditional batteries offer. Meanwhile, recharge times can also cause major problems in both of these applications and more. CNT-Batteries offer the perfect solution, as they address both of these issues.
The growth in electric vehicles is highly debated, but could be substantial if technology continues to improve. Hybrids could reach 20 percent of new vehicles by 2010 and 80 percent by 2015, according to a Booz Allen Hamilton report. The move to hybrids will create large demand for lighter, higher capacity, longer lasting batteries.
Meanwhile, new regulations coming within the telecom industry will require providers to have a minimum of four hours power back-up across all sites, eight hours on critical sites, and 24 hours on key critical sites. This will require telecom providers to either construct new back-up generators or, as a cheaper option, build out battery farms.
At the end of 2008, telecom providers operated approximately 242,000 of these sites, with a big jump between 2007 and 2008 due to 3G expansions. With the average site posting an 800A load and a 3,200Ah (40,000Wh) capacity, total battery demand could reach 1.68 million units to generate 1.42 billion Ah of capacity over the next ten years.
Conclusion
EcoloCap’s revolutionary CNT-Battery technology can modify existing lead-acid batteries to provide eight times the reserve capacity of the unmodified battery, three times the energy density of lithium-ion batteries, and a recharge time of just five to ten minutes. This makes it perfect for a variety of applications, as the most affordable and viable option on the market.
CONTACT: Daniel Minton, Managing Director, 406-862-5400, daniel@accelerize.com