Boston Power To Unveil Fast-Recharge Battery

Boston Power at the Demo 2007 show this week plans to show off a lithium-ion battery that's less likely to catch on fire and offers what the company calls the industry's fastest-recharge rate.

The Sonata, a next-generation, lithium-ion battery, is designed to get back up to 80% capacity in 30 minutes when recharging, according to figures released from Boston Power. That would represent about half the time required by other batteries on the market, the company said.

"Our first product line, Sonata, demonstrates that this yields a better performing, cost-effective battery with best-in-class safety assurances," said Boston Power founder and CEO Christina Lampe-Onnerud in a written statement. Lampe-Onnerud and Hewlett-Packard distinguished technologist John Wozniak will jointly unveil the battery this Thursday at DEMO 2007 in Palm Desert, Calif.

Boston Power is working with HP to test the Sonata battery.

"We believe that lithium-ion is the best solution to power notebook computers for the foreseeable future," said Wozniak in a written statement. "HP welcomes opportunities to incorporate advancements in this area into our products to the benefit of our customers."

Boston Power's Sonata product line is designed to be used in existing notebooks. It requires no design changes on the part of notebook computer makers, according to the company, which adds that Sonata features enhancements in both performance and safety. Its proprietary safety features include slower chemical kinetics, novel current interrupt devices, new thermal fuses, unique pressure relief vents, and safer pack configuration.

The first notebook computers to use Sonata batteries are expected to ship this summer.

Boston Power also says the battery line has greater longevity than other batteries, whose ability to recharge and hold a charge can degrade over time. The Sonata is designed to last as long as the notebook computer it powers and continue to hold a recharge.

The semi-annual Demo conferences focus on emerging technologies and new products. The current Demo conference kicks off Tuesday and runs through Thursday, Feb. 1.