[CoARES-D10] Looking for longer lasting batteries?

[R. Long]

Hi Guys and Gals,

Looking for longer lasting batteries for your alkaline packs? This came out
on the AP wire and might be of interest to ARES R members. Certainly would
appear to be something to watch in terms of actual performance once they
arrive on our market this spring, if not try.

 

73,

Randy, W0AVV

http://www.herald-review.com/articles/2004/12/12/ap/hitech/d86t5geg0.prt 

Oxyride Battery to Be Sold in the U.S.

By YURI KAGEYAMA 

TOKYO - A battery developed by Matsushita Electric Industrial that delivers
1.5 times the power of a regular alkaline battery is going on sale in the
United States and Europe in April 2005.

The Oxyride battery, which went on sale in Japan in April, also lasts longer
than regular batteries, allowing users to take about twice as many pictures
on a digital camera, according to the Japanese manufacturer of the Panasonic
brand.

Tadaharu Taguchi, a Matsushita director, said the battery marks "a major
milestone in the battery industry."

Oxyride batteries maintain higher voltage and output longer because the
material inside that produces electricity is more concentrated.

Oxyride uses oxy nickel hydroxide, an advanced battery substance, and finer
grain graphite and manganese dioxide, allowing them to be packed more
closely inside the cell.

Matsushita Electric Industrial Co. Ltd. also developed a way of blending the
powder to stuff more into the battery. A production innovation also pours
more electrolyte, a key ingredient that leads to longer battery life, into
the cell, Matsushita said.

In a recent demonstration of the battery's power, Matsushita showed a
Oxyride-powered coffin-like electric car that crawled along the ground for
several feet with a woman aboard lying flat on her back.

Reporters were also shown audio players powered by a regular battery vs.
Oxyride. The one with Oxyride delivered a stronger, deeper bass, and
Matsushita officials said some music experts express a preference for
Oxyride.

The growing popularity of digital cameras, portable music players, handheld
video game machines and other gadgets, is boosting demand for powerful
batteries, Taguchi told reporters at a Tokyo Panasonic showroom.

AA and AAA Oxyride batteries cost about 10 percent more than regular
batteries. In the United States, they will sell for about $3.99 for a pack
of four, although prices will vary, Matsushita officials said.

Matsushita, based in Osaka, central Japan, is hoping to sell 100 million
Oxyride batteries in the year through March 2005.

Oxyride batteries already comprise about a third of Panasonic AA battery
sales, or 7 percent of the overall AA battery market in Japan. Even
achieving 1 percent market share is considered significant for products like
batteries.