Sony Unveils Hybrid Lithium-ion Battery

Sony of Canada Ltd. of Toronto, Ontario, has introduced the industry’s first hybrid lithium-ion rechargeable battery that has 30% more capacity, quicker charging times and extended life at low temperatures than conventional Li-ion batteries.

The NP-FP71 incorporates a newly developed tin-based amorphous anode of multiple elements such as tin, cobalt, and carbon. By adding several elements to the tin-based compound, Sony can minimize the change in particle shape during charge and discharge. The result is a 50% higher storage capacity of lithium ions compared to the conventional graphite anode.

Multiple metal atoms such as cobalt, nickel and manganese are incorporated in the cathode’s crystal structure to realize a higher capacity with the same charging voltage. Excess discharge can be avoided, resulting in greater battery reliability.

The battery also retains 95% of its capacity at 0°C, up from 85% efficiency in conventional batteries. At lower temperatures, the difference becomes even greater. Although the NP-FP71 provides much more power than conventional batteries, the recharge time is only 10% longer. The new battery can be 90% charged in about 30 minutes.