lithium ion battery

E-volo, the German team that flew a manned, electric, 16-rotor multicopter last October, will launch a two-seater version this spring — and a commercial model will go on sale in 2013.

Fall’s test flight only lasted 90 seconds (video below), but according to E-volo the multicopter is capable of flying for 20 to 30 minutes on a single charge.

According to two recent patent filings, Apple is looking into the plausibility of powering its MacBook Pro line with fuel cells instead of traditional battery packs.

With the general consumer becoming more savvy when it comes to renewable energy sources, Cupertino sees a potential win-win in the form of increasing its reputation as a green company as well as increasing sales.

Aside from the capitalistic side of things, it does make good sense to be exploring this option as a hydrogen-based fuel cell could go much longer without recharging than a standard lithium-ion battery pack.

Natural competitors BMW and Toyota are collaborating on lithium-ion battery research, hybrid technology, and diesel engine technology.

Each has expertise the other needs and both want to speed up the curve for advanced batteries. In a joint announcement at the current Tokyo Motor Show, it was stated that BMW will supply small-car diesel engines to Toyota that helps Toyota sales in Europe, Toyota will provide BMW with hybrid engine know-how that helps BMW everywhere.

Using silicon lithography, liquid silicone, and electrodes that are fashioned into patterns that are invisible to the naked eye, researchers at Stanford University have finally created the seminal sci-fi component that we’ve all been waiting for: transparent batteries.

The biggest challenge for battery electric vehicles is clearly the cost and the weight of today's lithium-ion battery packs.

Now Volvo is experimenting with a new composite material that can store and release energy more quickly than a convention lithium-ion cell and, it says, might one day replace steel for making auto body panels.