New Industry Products

thin-type lithium-polymer secondary battery

October 10, 1999 by Jeff Shepard

Sanyo Electric Co. Ltd. (Japan) recently announced the development of a thin-type lithium-polymer secondary battery. Production will be located at Sanyo Electric Co. Ltd, Soft Energy Company in Japan. The production capabilities will reach 400,000 cells per month by the spring of 2000, according to Sanyo. The battery, UP363562, measures 3.6mm thick x 35mm wide x 62mm long and has a rated capacity of 570mAh. It has an energy density in volume of 270Wh/l and an energy density in weight of 156Wh/kg. According to Sanyo, the battery can supply about 96 percent current of the 1C rate for electric loads corresponding to the 2C discharge rate. Sanyo claims the polymer electrolyte obtains long life reliability, with more than 500 recharging cycles, while achieving high performance (gravimetric energy density of 156Eh/kg and volumetric energy density of 270Wh/l). The battery possesses high ion conductivity, even at low temperatures, making possible discharges at -20 degrees C. It is also claimed to achieve ultra-thin type thickness of under 4mm while obtaining high leakage-resistance. The electrolyte is completely gel-type so does not leak, according to the company, even when utilizing thin and light aluminum laminated film as the exterior packaging material. Further, according to Sanyo, a 156Wh/kg gravimetric energy density was realized even with a lightweight unit at the 3mm range and above.