Update
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August 31, 2011
A futuristic concept called “reverse electrowetting” could change the way we recharge cell phones and other portable devices, but don’t look for it anytime soon.
Engineers are working on a new method to harvest the mechanical energy in our day-to-day strides, meaning they are looking at shoes to serve as a source for powering portable gadgets. The concept would utilize a micro-fluidic device consisting of thousands of micro-droplets that move past a nanotechnology-based film. The motion of the droplets would then be converted into an electric current. The idea is that you would have the energy to power devices whenever you choose to take a “power walk.”
Creators envision equipping special footwear with tiny mobile hotspots that are powered by the electricity-generating
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June 30, 2011
Johnson Controls Inc. is planning to invest $138.5 million to convert its battery plant near Toledo, Ohio, into an Absorbent Glass Mat (AGM) battery facility for start-top and other high efficiency vehicles.
Alex Molinaroli, president for Johnson Controls Power Solutions, said that the company sees the start-stop vehicle technology market growing to 35 million batteries globally by 2015—including batteries not put into new vehicles—with the United States as an important piece of the market. By 2020, JCI projects, demand for start-stop systems in new vehicles will reach 70–92% in Europe, North American and China—essentially supplanting conventional internal combustion engine vehicles.
Johnson Controls’ Toledo investment will add 6 million in AGM battery capacity to the company’s
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June 23, 2011
Don’t believe all the negative news you hear about travel this year. The Recreation Vehicle Industry Association (RVIA) is predicting that RV sales will increase more than 7 percent in 2011. This would mark the second straight year sales have increased. It also is an indicator that Americans are choosing to travel again and enjoy some of the sites our great country offers!
Richard Curlin, an analyst with RVIA, says the RV market is expected to continue to grow at a reasonably robust pace, especially in view of the overall economic environment. He says factors helping the industry are that credit is more available,
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May 12, 2011
Researchers have shown that ozone can be reduced when electric vehicle charging is done at night. That’s good news for both environmentalists as well as car owners of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, who typically choose to charge cars in the evening when drivers are more apt to be at home.
Ozone is a known pollutant that can cause harmful effects on certain individuals with respiratory ailments. It forms as hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxides, emitted into the air, react with sunlight. Two of the largest emitters of these pollutants are vehicles and electricity generating units.
Charging plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, also known as PHEVs, is already known to be more cost effective and reliable. But a new report issued by researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and the University of Texas have found that charging at this time leads to lower levels of pollution on average.
PHEVs have the capability to run off battery power and gasoline. When PHEVs
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April 08, 2011
There have been numerous reports about the battery market and how the tragic earthquake that has devastated parts of Japan could lead to a shortage. While it is true that Japan is home to numerous production sites, for not just batteries, but components for computers, cars and other technology, analysts are saying that consumers should not be adversely affected.
Most companies have a supply buffer already in place, and other plants throughout the world are stepping up production efforts to meet continued demand for Lithium-ion batteries especially, which are used to power a wide variety of consumer devices including smart phones and laptops. Battery manufacturers are also turning to alternative components sources besides those in the devastated parts of Japan to ensure supply remains constant.
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December 17, 2010
Welcome to the brand new Impact Battery Blog! Each week you will find a new blog post discussing information about the products we sale on Impact Battery. and also helpful tips to help you get the most out of your batteries. You might even hear about a few sales and discounts. So, whether you are looking for a motorcycle, golf cart, solar powered, scooter, or ATV battery we are starting this blog to help you better understand the great world of batteries.
However, we aren't just focused on selling batteries, as our mission states, we give back a portion of every sale to local community organizations and schools. We believe everyone plays a role in strengthening our neighborhoods which is why you, the customer, get to choose who we support. This is our