Ener1 Achieves New Milestone in Fuel Cells
Successfully Tests New Prototype for its VHDVCS Process
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla., May 22 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Ener1, Inc. (OTC Bulletin Board: ENEI), an emerging leader in the development of a wide range of energy solutions, has successfully tested a prototype of its newly developed equipment that can significantly enhance performance characteristics for batteries, fuel cells, and other energy sources.
Ener1 Inc.'s equipment makes thin and thick films of electrode materials and solid electrolytes using a new production process, also developed by the Company. Ener1 executives believe this new development could substantially improve its competitive position in the emerging markets for fuel cell energy resources.
The new VHDVCS process (Vapor High Density Vacuum Condensation/Solidification), is a special production method for vacuum deposition of electrode materials and solid electrolyte layers with predetermined structural and electrochemical properties. Ener1's tests indicate that its VHDVCS process greatly improves upon existing production methods in terms of efficiency of increased evaporation (up to 100 microns/sec), better adhesion to substrate (order of magnitude higher than thermal evaporation), reduced deviation in film thickness (less then 1%) and reduced surface defects (less than 0.5%).
Ener1 plans to use the VHDVCS process in its development and production of all-solid phase power sources. The Company already has several issued and pending patents related to this process, including recent ones "Methods and Apparatus for Deposition of Thin Films," (pending), filed with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office in March 2002 (Patent Application No.10/108,140), and "Method of Measurement of Electric Ionic Conductivity of Solid Electrolytes" (number of the International PCT Application PCT/UA02/00043 of September 05, 2002).
Dr. Elena Shembel, Ener1 R&D Director, co-inventor of the above technologies and co-author of the patent applications involved, commented: "We have been developing not only materials, technology and methods, but also the actual working equipment for implementing our VHDVCS process. This process is based both on our fundamental and applied research in ionic conductivity of solid electrolyte, catalysts for electrochemical processes in fuel cells, as well as materials synthesis and production methods for thin layers of inorganic solid electrolytes up to 5 microns. These advantages will now make it possible for us to optimize the performance of solid state systems. We are also continuing to develop our new non-destructive control methods and equipment for testing our materials, as well as for 100% testing of our batteries before their delivery to a customer."
Dr. Peter Novak, Ener1 CTO, co-inventor of the above technologies and co- author of the patent applications involved, added: "Our new VHDVCS process and the excellent properties of the batteries based on this technology show Ener1's advancement in these important areas. We believe that our VHDVCS process will help significantly in making our products competitive in the growing markets for fuel cells, lithium batteries, solar cells and other mobile power sources."
About Ener1, Inc.
Ener1, Inc. (OTC Bulletin Board: ENEI) develops and commercializes new technologies for energy sources, including high-energy batteries and fuel cells, supported by its large team of well known Ph.D. level scientists and engineers. Ener1's technologies and products, many of which are patented or have patents pending, include advanced lithium batteries, thin film and solid state technologies and high efficiency, long-life, non-platinum fuel cells. These technologies and products have numerous applications for military, industrial and consumer markets worldwide. Such applications range from lightweight battery packs for military field use and other mobile uses, to special applications for medical and industrial operations, and fuel cells for electric vehicles.
Источник: For more information, visit the company's Web site"