New Sony Olivine-type Lithium Iron Phosphate Power Tool Cell

[MitchJi]

Hi,

http://www.sony.net/SonyInfo/News/Press/200908/09-083E/index.html

Sony Launches High-power, Long-life Lithium Ion Secondary Battery
Using Olivine-type Lithium Iron Phosphate as the Cathode Material

Sony Corporation today announced that it has launched a new type of lithium ion secondary battery that combines high-power and long-life performance, using olivine-type lithium iron phosphate as the cathode material. Shipment commenced in June 2009.

The Olivine-type lithium iron phosphate used in this new battery is extremely suited for use as a cathode material due to its robust crystal structure and stable performance, even at high temperatures. By combining this new cathode material with Sony's proprietary particle design technology that minimizes electrical resistance to deliver high power output, and also leveraging the cell structure design technology Sony accrued developing its current "Fortelion series" lithium ion secondary battery line-up, Sony has realized a high power density of 1800W/kg and extended life span of approximately 2,000 charge-discharge cycles.

Furthermore, with this new battery able to charge rapidly, in addition to providing a stable discharge of voltage, it will first be supplied for use in motor driven devices such as power tools, after which its application will be expanded to a wide range of other mobile electronic devices. With lithium ion secondary batteries able to deliver both compact size and high capacity, their usage continues to diversify and grow. By adding this high-power, long-life lithium ion secondary battery to its lineup, Sony will aim to continue to provide batteries optimized to its customers' requirements, and further strengthen its lithium ion secondary battery business going forward.

Main Features
1. Power density: 1800W/kg (20A continuous discharge)
2. Long-life: more than 80% capacity retention after 2,000 charge-discharge cycles
3. Rapid charging: 99% charge completed in 30 minutes


Details of Main Features
1. Power density: 1800W/kg (20A continuous discharge)
Sony has leveraged its proprietary particle design technology that realizes high power by minimizing electrical resistance, together with the cell structure design technology it accrued developing its current lithium ion secondary battery line-up to successfully achieve high-power density of 1800W/kg. This enables the new battery to discharge large currents, while also providing a stable output of voltage, making it highly suitable for use in motor driven applications such as power tools.

2. Long-life; more than 80% capacity retention after 2,000 charge-discharge cycles)
This new battery delivers an extended life-span of over four-times existing secondary lithium ion batteries used in conventional electronic devices (G-series, A-series) due to the olivine-type lithium iron phosphate's robust crystal structure, and Sony's proprietary particle design technology. Its enhanced durability makes this new battery ideal for use in a wide range of mobile electronic devices.

3. Rapid charging; 99% charge is completed in 30 minutes
This new battery can be charged to 99% of its full capacity in 30 minutes, which represents approximately half the charge time of Sony's current lithium ion battery line-up (G-series, A-series), which mainly use cobalt oxide based cathodes.

Key Specifications
Cell type ------------------------ Cylindrical type 18650
Size ---------------------------- Diameter 18mm, height 65mm
Capacity ------------------------ (0.2ItA) 1.1Ah
Nominal Voltage ----------------- 3.2V
Energy Density ------------------ 95Wh/kg
Power Density ------------------- 1800W/kg
Max. continuous discharge current --- 20A
Weight -------------------------- 40g

 

[liveforphysics]

Hmm... 1.1Ah in a 18650 cell... High energy LiCo is around 2.9Ah in an 18650 cells, and higher voltage. Giving it a little over 300% of the energy density. It is nice that a company other than A123 is making some 20C rated cells. It would be super nice if they could find a way to get that worse than NiMh level energy density up.

 

[pwbset]

Yes, but which power tools!? Game on!

 

[pwbset]

Well... just spend awhile trying to get more information about this cell.. the US18650FT.. must have called 10 different Sony numbers and 10 different "resellers" and distributors.. no one had any clue what I was talking about.. including the "government sales team" and the "business parts division" and the "technical sales support" line. I love big corporations... no wonder the world is screwed up. :lol:

 

[Doctorbass]

hmmm.. Interesting to see Sony decided to invest again the the old great 18650 platform...

Their last succes is still the LiMn 18650V and the 18650VT ( aka K O N I O N )

According to the Specsheet I have from them,

The V can take 10C and have 1.5Ah (15A burst 7A continuous) for 3.75Vnom 500 cycles at 1C 80%dod 43g
The VT can take 15C and have 1.1Ah (17A burst 8A continuous) for 3.70Vnom 500 cycles at 1C 80%dod 43g
compared with :
The FT that can take 18C and have 1.1Ah ( 18A continuous) for 3.2V 2000cycles 40g

According to these details I guess they will come with another model.. probably the US18650F

The VT are 1.1Ah and are the power version The V are the energy version.. so for the lifepo4 from sony I guess it's the same thing.. US18650FT = power and the maybe US18650F for energy... just like the Headway 38120P..

That would be interesting otherwise I think that the A123 18650 that offer 1.1Ah too but at 30C continuous are more interesting!

The 18650 format is definitivly a strong format but with 3.2V and 1.1Ah.. offering just under 4Wh per cell is a pain to assemble if you need 800Wh !!

Like the A123.. , previous LiMn format was also offered in 26650 format...
I wonder if to beat A123 they will make a 26650 lifepo4 format too.. and what will be the Ah and continuous C rating!.. 2.4Ah..? 61C??

Doc

 

[reagle]

Another article :
http://www.eeproductcenter.com/powe...d=ACAHL4B2TS4IOQSNDLSCKHA?articleID=219400521
Note the last sentence: The new battery from Sony was first supplied for use in power tools in June of 2009, but will be issued in wide release for use in applications such as motor driven devices and portable electronic products such as mobile phones and netbooks.