NASA to Evaluate International Battery's Lithium-Ion Large Format Batteries
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ALLENTOWN, Pa. - September 23, 2009 ¬- International Battery (www.internationalbattery.com), a U.S. manufacturer, designer, and developer of large-format lithium-ion rechargeable cells and batteries, today announced that NASA has awarded International Battery a contract to build a battery prototype that will provide backup power in support of the space shuttle program.
NASA is interested in International Battery's large-format, high energy density, prismatic cells that provide advanced energy storage along with the company's comprehensive Battery Management System (BMS). The BMS is specifically designed for large format cells and provides increased safety and performance through individual cell monitoring and continuous cell balancing. The entire system is being deployed as an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) to maintain backup power for critical ground operations.
"This opportunity to partner with NASA further validates International Battery's truly large format technology," said International Battery's CEO, Ake Almgren. "Our individual cells are ten to fifty times larger than those commonly labeled 'large format' today. Employing fewer cells to store the same quantity of energy lowers the cost of integrated battery systems and improves reliability and performance."
The added feature of International Battery's environmentally-friendly, water-based manufacturing process is of additional significance to NASA. International Battery is currently the only company in the United States that can produce lithium batteries using a water-based process. This method does not require solvents and eliminates the need for a costly disposal process.
The battery prototype will be tested at Kennedy Space Center by the end of 2009 and targeted for implementation at other space centers after successful integration and testing efforts have been achieved.
The company's Allentown, Pa., factory is the first purpose-built commercial manufacturer of next-generation large-format lithium ion batteries in the United States, and is helping to reverse the offshore flow of manufacturing capability.
For more information on International Batteries advanced technology batteries, please visit their web site at: www.internationalbattery.com or call (610) 366-3925.
About International Battery
Headquartered in Allentown, Pa., International Battery is a U.S. manufacturer, designer, and developer of large-format lithium-ion rechargeable cells and batteries for use in a wide range of transportation, industrial, electric utility, smart grid and military applications, employing a uniquely environmentally friendly manufacturing process.
