dell battery tips

And that Steeler is wide receiver Santonio Holmes, the MVP of Super Bowl XLIII, who is now facing a civil lawsuit for assault and battery.

According to CourtHouseNews.com, a suit was filed on March 24, 2010 for an incident occurring two weeks earlier in Orlando on March 7 — only two days after quarterback Ben Roethlisberger’s latest spat with the law.

According to the complaint, Holmes confronted plaintiff Anshonoe Mills after she refused to leave a VIP area of Rain nightclub. Holmes allegedly “put his hand” in Mills’ face and “threw his entire glass cup of liquor” at her, which allegedly caused a laceration below her eyebrow and “blinding her temporarily.”

Mills also claims that she “felt pressure from [Holmes] and the Orlando Police Department not to press charges,” and that while under said pressure he made “a short victim statement incoherently stating that she was hit in the face and bleeding near her eyes, however, intended not to press charges.”

The complaint also alleges that “he proceeded to inform the plaintiff that he was an NFL football player and that he could not face criminal charges.”

Training programs for battery-manufacturing jobs that European firm fortu is bringing to Muskegon are already being planned by local colleges.

With the news that 734 manufacturing jobs are coming to Muskegon Township in about a year, Muskegon Community College is looking at developing a specific program for training employees in battery technology.

And Baker College of Muskegon is already examining ways to incorporate the chemistry needed to produce the lithium ion rechargeable batteries into its existing electronics technology program.

Another 1,000-plus jobs are expected to be created by two other battery plants locating in the Holland area.

The West Michigan plants are among 15 around the state that will produce the new generation of car batteries for hybrid and electric cars. Gov. Jennifer Granholm has said that 40,000 jobs could be created in the automotive battery industry by 2020.

To get Muskegon ready for the Swiss-German fortu PowerCell plant, which plans to begin production of batteries for electric vehicles by 2012, MCC is on a fast track to develop training programs for those fortu hires, as well as those who are hoping to be hired there.

“They need the work force and we are interested in training the workers,” said Dan Rinsema-Sybenga, public information manager for the college. “The training definitely will be applicable for any of the companies that are coming to the West Michigan area.”

The process of manufacturing the batteries involves chemistry, which Baker College is looking to incorporate into its existing programs, said Mary Ann Herbst, president of the college.

“We’re not creating a program that’s for battery technicians,” Herbst said. “What we realize is our electronics technology program is preparing our students for similar type skills.”

In addition to production workers, Herbst said the college is in the position to train such support workers as accountants and administrative assistants.

The fortu PowerCell development will be the company’s first high-volume manufacturing plant. About a half dozen American team members will spend six months to a year in Germany learning the company’s culture and processes.

Plant construction and hiring are about a year away.

An LG Chem plant planned for the south side of Holland will be operating in about 18 months and is expected to employ 400 to 500 workers. It will supply batteries for the planned electric Chevrolet Volt.

A joint venture of Johnson Controls and French manufacturer Saft also is locating in the Holland area and is expected to generate 550 jobs by 2014. It will produce lithium-ion batteries for hybrid and electric cars.

In addition, thousands of spinoff positions could be added by local firms supplying those plants.

A Canyon Country man is behind bars today after a Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station deputy conducted a traffic stop near Soledad Canyon Road and Crossglade Avenue Thursday night.

After a preliminary investigation, the deputy searched the man and reportedly found drug paraphernalia. As the deputy attempted to control the suspect, the man broke from his grasp, struck him with his elbow and began running through the parking lot of a nearby Taco Bell restaurant.
The deputy gave chase and was joined by a Santa Clarita resident who witnessed the incident. The suspect ran into the back yard of a residence in the 19000 block of Wellhaven Street. Several deputies and a helicopter from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department’s Aero Bureau contained the entire neighborhood. The man was later located inside a nearby garage.

He was taken into custody without further incident and deputies recovered methamphetamine at the scene. The deputy was not injured.

The suspect, James Castaldi, 41, was booked at the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station. He faces potential felony charges of possession of a controlled substance, and misdemeanor charges of battery on a peace officer, and possession of drug paraphernalia. He is being held in lieu of $50,000 bail pending future court proceedings.

    Lithium-ion battery maker China BAK Battery Inc. said Thursday that Jun Zou will be the company’s new chief financial officer, effective  April 1.

Zou was previously vice president of strategy. He replaces Tony Shen, who will step down as CFO but remain a consultant to the company through April 25.

Zou has more than 16 years of experience in financial management at companies in the U.S., Europe, China and Hong Kong. Before joining China BAK, he was CFO at GCL Silicon in Hong Kong, where he helped the firm establish a financial management system before an initial public offering in the U.S.

We’ve never heard of EcoloCap before, but the company is claiming a major breakthrough in battery technology. The Barrington, IL battery maker claims to have developed a carbon-nanotube lithium battery that uses much smaller quantities of lithium in powdered form while at the same time exhibiting much higher energy density. The cells have reportedly been “independently” tested by a Phoenix, AZ lab called Exponent.

According to EcoloCap, its cells produce a minimum of 200 amp-hours, although the voltage is not mentioned anywhere on its site. By way of comparison, some of the best current 18650 cells (the same type used in the Tesla Roadster) produce about 2.4-2.6 Ah at about 3.6 volts. We have no idea what the format or size of EcoloCap’s cells are since the only images on the site are generic shots of clouds, wind turbines and solar panels. A press release indicates that early testing of the cells shows 99 percent efficiency, although exactly what that means is not spelled out.

EcoloCap subsidiary Micro Bubble Technologies also claims to be able to produce a liquid fuel called M Fuel from heavy oils. The description of this product contains all manner of puffy language that leaves us very skeptical of any claims from this company. We’re always willing to be convinced, but frankly EcoloCap looks as if it could be headed down the same vaporware path as EEStor.

Not too long ago, some analysts were predicting a big oversupply of lithium-ion batteries for electric vehicles. Yeah, that sounded strange to us, too. Oliver Hazimeh, the director and dead of Global E-Mobility Practice for global management consulting firm PRTM, has now issued a statement saying that these estimates are “largely unfounded,” and warns that there are “potential shortfalls looming.” Those words might be just as unfounded, but Hazimeh’s numbers predict that the market will be asking for four times as many lithium ion batteries in 2020 (200GWh) as the industry will be able to make given the production capacity (50GWh) that has been announced thus far.

More details are available in Hazimeh’s release after the jump, but the takeaway point from his research is that li-ion battery manufacturing capacity will start to fall short somewhere around 2016 under the “most probable” scenario. Hazimeh also says something that no one really disagrees with, that Asia is best-poised to take advantage of the increasing demand for automotive li-ion products, while the U.S. and Europe are falling behind.

[Source: PRTM]
PRESS RELEASE

Statement from Oliver Hazimeh, Director and Head of Global E-Mobility Practice, PRTM, a global management consulting firm

PRTM Analysis Shows Lithium Ion (Li-Ion) Battery Overcapacity Estimates Largely Unfounded, with Potential Shortfalls Looming; Total Market Demand in 2020 Will Require 4x Capacity Announced To Date
Greater Cell Manufacturing Investment Needed in the US and Europe to Alleviate Shortfalls

Recent market reports predict that the global market for large format li-ion batteries (the size used for electric vehicle applications) will see a substantial overcapacity in the coming years, with some predicting an excess of more than 100% in 2015. PRTM believes that the notion of overcapacity is largely unfounded, and that, in fact, significant additional capacity may be needed to support the long-term growth of the electric transportation market. PRTM’s assessment, based on a thorough review of the operational market dynamics, found the following:
Under a “Most Probable” scenario, battery manufacturing capacity will hit a shortfall by 2016. Additional capacity investments beyond those recently announced by battery manufacturers will be required to avoid a Li-Ion battery shortfall of 30% by 2017.
The total Li-Ion battery market demand in 2020 will require about 200GWh capacity, which is 4x the 50GWh capacity that has been announced to date.
A global footprint assessment of top battery manufacturers suggests that the United States and Europe are facing a shortfall in cell manufacturing capacity-the largest value-added step in battery production and a rapidly increasing source of global competitive advantage. Approximately 70 % of the value of a Li-Ion battery pack resides in the Li-Ion cells, and low labor needs make manufacturing investments strategically sound.
Asia has been the center for consumer electronics-based Li-Ion battery manufacturing to date. As many countries worldwide consider building out automotive cell manufacturing to meet rising demand in the electric transportation sector, Asia is positioned to remain a leading net exporter of automotive battery cells under their current level of investment. Under-investments in cell manufacturing in the US and Europe to date – while offshore investments continue to rise – have wide-ranging consequences in global competitiveness. These outcomes include an inability to capitalize on an automotive battery market estimated to be $60B in 2020. The risks also include missing high-quality job creation opportunities in this sector.
As shown in Figure 1, the market could be under-supplied by nearly 10% by 2016.
PRTM’s assessment is based on a thorough review of the operational dynamics within the market, including the following key aspects:
1. All manufacturers will base future capacity investment on market demand. While battery companies are making initial investments slightly ahead of the market to optimize cost and scale, future investments will be made only when the market conditions justify such an investment.

2. Capacity expansions will not take place in one tranche – they will be rolled out in several phases, through 2015 and beyond. Many companies plan to build large facilities capable of supporting future volume, but initial machinery capex will remain relatively small.

3. Companies funded through US DOE stimulus may be incented to build ahead of the market, however stimulus-funded investment represents only 1/3rd of planned global capacity expansion – the remaining 2/3rds will remain driven purely by market demand.

4. Previous reports matching market growth to planned capacity were relatively bullish on capacity expansion while being bearish on market growth. Moreover, large format cells can also be used in utility applications, which are not included in most market growth forecasts. This combination almost definitely would lead to an overcapacity projection.

5. There are only a handful of capable and qualified suppliers of the capital equipment required for a Li-Ion battery manufacturing facility. PRTM believes that lead-times are currently in the range of 18-30 months, significantly impacting the rate at which capacity can be installed.

As Shown in Figure 2, the US and Europe have under invested in cell manufacturing capacity, which could lead to a potential shortfall in domestic Li-Ion cell supply.

Former Chrysler Corp. CEO Tom LaSorda has been named to the board of Canadian battery maker Electrovaya Inc., the company said Monday.

LaSorda also will be a special adviser to the Mississauga, Ontario, company’s CEO, Sankar DasGupta.

The board appointment is effective immediately. LaSorda’s advising role will include business strategy and development and global alliances.

LaSorda has more than 30 years of auto industry experience with General Motors Corp. and Chrysler Corp. Until Chrysler emerged from bankruptcy protection last year, he was vice chairman, president and a board member. He also served as CEO of Chrysler when it was owned by Daimler AG.

Electrovaya makes li-ion batteries and other products for transportation, consumer and health care markets. The company was founded in 1996.

Canadian shares of Electrovaya rose 16 cents, or 16.8 percent, to $1.11 in afternoon trading

Liberty Coach in Stuart has introduced a new eco-friendly battery system.

The Liberty Coach Prevost H3-45 Triple Slide-out now features new, environmentally friendly battery technology with a lithium iron phosphate battery system.

This system uses a nontoxic disposable battery that has a much longer life cycle than the older battery system. And fewer batteries are required to power the on-board electronics and other systems in a triple-slide coach, resulting in a weight savings.

The new system has a higher price tag than the previous battery system, but it has an increased life expectancy.

This system is being installed on all Triple Slide H3-45 models. By mid-summer, the company anticipates installing it in the double-slide models as well.

Nissan has announced that Sunderland, UK has been selected as a another production centre for the all-electric LEAF and that production will begin in 2013 alongside the Nissan Juke. Sunderland will join Oppama, Japan and Smyrna, Tennessee in producing the emissions-free vehicle. Production in Japan will start later this year followed by the US in 2012.

Nissan also said that the construction of its lithium-ion battery plant in Sunderland will kick start next month and will initiate its operation in 2012 where it will produce batteries for both Nissan and Renault.

Both projects in the UK demands more than 420 million GBP of capital injection which will be supported by by a 20.7 million GBP Grant for Business Investment (GBI) from the UK Government and a proposed finance package from the European Investment Bank of up to 197.3 million GBP. About 50,000 LEAFs will be rolled out each year while the battery plant will be able to output about 60,000 units per annum.

Nissan claims that the LEAF is the “world’s first affordable, mass produced zero emission car”. Its a five-seater C-segment hatchback with a range of about 160 kilometers over a full charge. It has a top speed of 140 km/h and can be recharged up to 80% in under 30 minutes using a rapid charging system.

Saft, a manufacturer of high-tech batteries, has broken ground on its lithium-ion battery manufacturing plant at the Cecil Commerce Center in Jacksonville, Fla. The factory will build lithium-ion cells and batteries for applications such as smart grid support and renewable energy storage.

The factory - Saft’s 16th wholly owned facility worldwide and 6th within the U.S. - will begin production during the second half of 2011. Saft has contracted the Haskell Company to provide the design-build services for the project.