Wednesday, December 20, 2006

Less-risky notebook batteries

Stung by product safety outcries, notebook manufacturers are showing signs of willingness to experiment with new types of batteries and suppliers. Lithium ion batteries have been the de facto standard for powering notebooks and consumer electronics gear for years. But recent battery-induced accidents and fires have prompted massive, multi-million-dollar recalls and tarnished the reputation of giants including Sony and Dell. One start-up looking to get its foot in the door is Boston-Power, which has designed what it says is <A HREF="http://news.zdnet.com/2100-1040_22-6144852.html?tag=nl.r23660">a safer and potentially more efficient lithium ion battery.</A> The company, says CEO and founder Christina Lampe-Onnerud, is on the verge of signing a deal with a large notebook maker--she won't name it yet--that's expected to come out with a portable PC using Boston-Power's battery in mid-2007.

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