FDK to Mass-Produce New Rechargeable Battery

Japan’s FDK Corp. will begin mass production of a high-performance type of fast-charging battery in the second half of fiscal 2006.

The new battery uses carbon material for both electrodes and an organic material for the electrolyte. It can charge in less than three minutes and can be recharged more than 100,000 times. Existing lithium-ion batteries require around two hours to charge and last for only around 1,000 cycles of charging.

FDK is investing some ¥500M to install production equipment at its Kosai plant in Shizuoka Prefecture and intends to launch output at a rate of 200,000 units a month.

Initially, the firm will make the batteries in two cylindrical shapes 18mm in diameter, one that is 65 millimeters long and weighs some 33 grams and one that is 50mm long and weighs 28gm. Both will have an energy density of 12Wh/l, more than twice the charge capacity of an electric double-layer capacitor. And the batteries will be rated at 4.2V, so they will not need the special power chips and circuitry required by an electric double-layer capacitor.

FDK will start by making the next-generation battery for products such as notebook computers and electric razors, but eventually plans to develop commercial versions for large machinery as well.

The company is targeting sales of around ¥500M for the second half of fiscal 2006.