| One of the world's largest laptop computer battery | | | | start adding a new polymer to batteries without such |
| makers and around 25 other battery manufacturers | | | | discussions first," said Alex Peng, deputy general |
| in Taiwan have agreed to start developing products | | | | director of the material and chemical research |
| with a new safety material that keeps lithium-ion cells | | | | laboratories at ITRI, on the sidelines of a news |
| from overheating when damaged. | | | | conference. He said special STOBA-based products |
| The Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI) | | | | will be available late this year, after the third quarter, |
| developed the polymer, STOBA (self-terminated | | | | in products such as batteries for electric bicycles. |
| oligomers with hyper-branched architecture) after a | | | | Simplo Technology, one of the largest makers of |
| high-profile laptop battery recall in 2006 in which 9.6 | | | | laptop computer batteries in the world, is part of the |
| million Sony batteries were recalled due to an | | | | group, as is battery maker E-One Moli Energy, which |
| overheating hazard that had caused some laptops to | | | | will start mass producing STOBA-based lithium-ion |
| catch fire. STOBA works to keep damaged batteries | | | | batteries by the fourth quarter of this year, ITRI |
| from overheating, thereby avoiding meltdowns or | | | | said in a statement. |
| fires. | | | | E-One Moli Energy and ITRI started working together |
| Lithium-ion technology is used in batteries for most | | | | last year to explore ways to make lithium-ion |
| electronic devices today, from iPods and mobile | | | | batteries for hybrid cars and electric cars safer and |
| phones to laptops, digital cameras and more. The | | | | more efficient as part of a five-year deal that took |
| technology has been considered safe for years, but | | | | advantage of government incentives for alternative |
| damage and production defects can lead to fires. | | | | energy projects. E-One makes batteries for BMW's |
| Battery technology similar to STOBA is now being | | | | Mini E, an experimental electric car that uses |
| used in hybrid vehicles and electric cars. | | | | lithium-ion batteries. |
| ITRI, a publicly funded Taiwanese research center, | | | | ITRI wasn't the first to develop safety technology |
| on Wednesday announced a new battery consortium | | | | for lithium-ion batteries. Sony, Toshiba and other |
| aimed at developing special STOBA batteries. | | | | lithium-ion battery makers have been working to |
| Companies in the consortium will also begin working | | | | improve the batteries for years. Three years ago, |
| with customers on the potential to add STOBA to | | | | Panasonic announced a heat-resistive insulating layer |
| existing products. | | | | inside its battery cells meant to keep the batteries |
| "These battery makers will start discussions with | | | | from overheating in the event of a short circuit. |
| their customers about using STOBA. They can't just | | | | |