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Firefly Energy Earns Continued R&D Funding for Microcell Carbon-Foam Lead-Acid Battery
29 November 2007
Firefly Energy is obtaining a $3.2 million appropriation from the 2008 defense bill for further development of “3D Advanced Battery Technology”. Firefly Energy is developing a version of its award-winning 3D Microcell carbon-foam lead-acid battery technology for the US Army.
Firefly Energy is slated to begin shipping prototypes of the 3D battery by mid-2008 for testing by the US Army for key applications including its “Silent Watch” program.
Using the batteries, electronic reconnaissance can be conducted from military ground vehicles while noisy engines are off, thus helping avoid detection while saving fuel. The goal of the program is to provide consistent power for four to 72 hours.
The carbon foam-based battery technology delivers a performance associated with NiMH but for one-fifth the cost, and can be both manufactured as well as recycled within the existing lead acid battery industry’s vast infrastructure.
The company recently announced that the first pre-production versions of the new BCI Group 31 carbon-foam lead-acid truck battery—to be marketed under the new name “Oasis”—will be available for review and testing during the first quarter of 2008. Initial availability of the Oasis battery will be in the summer of 2008, with full production scheduled for the fourth quarter of 2008. (Earlier post.)
November 29, 2007 in Brief | Permalink | Comments (6) | TrackBack (0)
Comments
Posted by: Lad | November 29, 2007 at 10:48 PM
What kind of track is your Z car built for, Lad?
Posted by: Elliot | November 30, 2007 at 12:12 AM
@Elliot:
Actually I have two:
'70 240Z mildly modified for street use and road racing.
'73 240z wildly modified with a turbo for road racing; runs 14 second quarter miles.
I run under NASA rules and am still in school learning lines, braking points, apexes, timing, etc.
As you may know the phase "add lightness," came from Colin Chapman and I think is an idea many auto makers could use to advantage today to reduce gasoline consumption. However, they would need to change their PR to promote light autos instead of heavies.
Posted by: Lad | November 30, 2007 at 05:41 AM
Very nice! Those early Z's are a good example to follow. I only became familiar with their capability about two years ago, and it's pretty rare to see them done right, especially in Texas where I currently live. I hope to get one myself once I'm settled in California.
Is NASA a good association to find driving schools?
Posted by: Elliot | November 30, 2007 at 08:10 AM
@Elliot:
Jump to:
http://www.nasaproracing.com/aboutnasa/index.html
and read the HPDE section and the rules book. This is will get you started.
Posted by: Lad | November 30, 2007 at 09:42 PM
Thanks!
Posted by: Elliot | December 02, 2007 at 12:41 PM
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How about making a group 24 battery for my 240Z track car! I'm always looking to add "lightness."