Consolidated Power Battery Corp. (PWB, Oak Harbor, WA) announced it has entered a definitive agreement to merge with Portable Energy Products Inc. (PEP, Scotts Valley, CA). Under the terms of the agreement, PEP will be merged into a subsidiary of PWB and become wholly owned by PWB. PEP shareholders will receive shares of common stock […]
BlueStar Battery Systems International Corp. (Vancouver, BC) reported revenues for the first quarter ended December 31, 1998, of $43.9 million, a 27 percent increase from $34.7 million for the same period a year ago. The company reported earnings before interest, income taxes and amortization (EBITDA) of $1.5 million for the quarter, compared to a loss […]
Exide Technologies (Princeton, NJ) announced that it is closing two automotive battery manufacturing plants as part of its ongoing restructuring plan to reduce automotive production capacity in North America. The company also announced further restructuring actions in its European operations, including workforce reductions at two manufacturing facilities and a reorganization of its transportation business sales […]
Microsemi Corp. (Santa Ana, CA) announced the introduction of its UPS840 Powermite 3 low-profile power Schottky diode. Designed for high-density power supply...
DCH Technology Inc. (DCHT, Valencia, CA) and Freewing Aerial Robotics Corp. (College Station, TX) have agreed to begin an exploratory development program to integrate PEM fuel cells into the Freewing Tilt-Body Unmanned Aeronautical Vehicle (UAV). Freewing's air vehicles have extremely short takeoff and landing capabilities. DCH's modular approach to fuel cell systems is claimed to […]
Analog Devices Inc. (Norwood, MA) introduced the ADP3605 voltage inverter, which operates from a 3V to 6V supply. The device is intended for applications that demand high-output current at a regulated negative output voltage.Available in small SO-8 and TSSOP-14 packages, the ADP3605 operates at a high switching frequency of 250kHz (500kHz internal), enabling the charge […]
International Rectifier (IR, El Segundo, CA) introduced a new family of D-Pak Schottky diodes intended for low-power systems. The diodes are claimed to offer a lower forward-voltage drop from improved power handling capabilities and greater efficiency than competing devices, while maintaining price parity. Nine devices are available, with 3A, 5A and dual 3A (6A) parts […]
Lithium Technology Corp. (LTC, Plymouth Meeting, PA) announced it has received a small purchase order from the NASA Lewis Research Center for 20 large prototype lithium-ion polymer cells. The company had responded to a NASA Lewis solicitation seeking potential sources of li-ion polymer batteries for testing against the varied requirements of NASA's aerospace mission. LTC's […]
AER Energy Resources Inc. (Atlanta) reported net revenues of $352,000 for the year ended December 31, 1998, compared with $108,000 for the year ended December 31, 1997. The company's net loss for the year was $6,632,000, or $0.27 per share, down from a net loss of $8,766,000, or $0.36 per share, for the prior year. […]
BAT International (Chula Vista) subsidiary Southern States Power Co. (SSPC) has formed a joint venture with Anuvu Inc. to complete development and demonstration of an advanced proton exchange membrane fuel cell that will be demonstrated in a series of fuel cell powered electric vehicle runs in California and other locations. The joint venture company, Global […]
Electric Fuel Corp. (New York, NY) announced that its latest Instant Power chargers for PDAs will be shipped early in the second quarter of 2001. The new product lineup includes a charger for Palm V handheld computers that delivers up to 8 full charges. Other new models include chargers for Compaq iPAQ pocket PCs, Handspring […]
O2Micro International Ltd. (Santa Clara, CA) announced the development of an IC for optimized charging of multiple-serial-type lithium-ion batteries, the OZ870. This IC was developed in cooperation with Compaq Computer Corp. (Houston, TX). The OZ870 IC creates a lithium-ion battery charger that fully charges each cell in three-cell and four-cell type batteries. In addition, the […]
Ultralife Batteries Inc. (Newark, NY) announced that Bruce Jagid has resigned as CEO and Chairman of the Board, and that the board of directors has retained executive search firm Heidrick & Struggles to assist in recruiting a new CEO. The board elected Arthur Lieberman, a co-founder and director of the company, to be the new […]
Matsushita Battery Industrial Co. Ltd. (Osaka, Japan), the manufacturer of Panasonic and National brand batteries, announced it has started mass-production of ultra-thin lithium-polymer batteries. Matsushita claims it is the first in the industry to commence mass production of the batteries, beginning this month with production capacity of 300,000 cells per month.The new batteries are 3.6mm […]
Ballard Power Systems (Vancouver, BC) announced it has received a CDN$3.5 million (US$2.3 million) contract from Nissan Motor Co. Ltd. (Japan) to supply Ballard fuel cells, related equipment and support services. Nissan plans to use the fuel cells in their research and development program for evaluation and development of fuel-cell powered electric vehicles."Nissan has been […]