AltairNano Tests Confirm Extended Cell Life

In ongoing testing, Altair NanoTechnologies of Reno, Nevada, has completed 15,000 deep charge/discharge cycles of its NanoSafe battery cells. After 15,000 cycles the cells retained over 85% of their original charge capacity. This represents a significant improvement over conventional, commercially available rechargeable batteries which typically retain that level of charge capacity through 1,000 deep charge/discharge cycles.

The battery cells were tested in Altairnano's labs at 10C (six-minute) charge and discharge rates. They were deep charged and discharged, taken to 100% charge and 0% charge respectively during the six-minute cycles. Although tests involved full charges and discharges, partial charging and discharging of the battery does not appear to impact the life or the holding charge capacity.

In theory, a 15,000-charge cycle life would translate into a battery lasting 40 years if it was charged daily for applications such as electric vehicles or plug-in hybrid electric vehicles. However, other wear and tear factors could limit the actual life of the batteries to 20 years.