Panasonic's new batteries have 20% longer life, and can operate in colder temperatures. This can mean o­nly o­ne thing: put them in a plane.

Matsushita Electric Industrial announced their new Oxyride and Alkaline rechargable batteries o­n January 16th. Both have 20% longer life versus previous models. The Oxyride rechargable batteries have improved operability in cold environments. Both batteries will be available from April 20th in AA and AAA sizes.

The new Oxyride rechargable batteries feature a new oxy-hydrated nickel at the positive pole, as well as new addition agent, improving their chemical reactivity. Furthermore, by optimizing the volume and electrolytic concentration at the negative pole, they feature 1.2x the battery life versus previous models and improved tolerance for lower temperatures. If using them with a digital camera, for example, the number of pictures that can be taken has increased, and the camera can receive power even in environments where the temperature is around zero degrees Celsius.

If using them with an electric toothbrush or shaver, the power level won't drop, and using them with a mobile phone means a shorter recharging time. Matsushita said, "they have a high preservation of voltage, and the voltage won't drop even when using them for a long time. They are best suited for when a high-mid electric current level is needed.

The Alkaline batteries feature an increased electrolytic volume through the introduction of technology used in the Oxyride batteries, as well as an improvement of the zinc powder used in the negative pole, improving the battery's reactivity. "The electrolytic volume has been increased through application of the Black Box technology used in Oxyride batteries, giving these new alkalines 1.2x the life of their predecessors. Also, with a new alloy composition large surface area zinc powder, they're more efficient hwen used with digital cameras."

Also announced with these new products is a new design for their Alkaline rechargable batteries. The goal is "based o­n our strategy for the world's rechargable battery market, we wanted to have our Alkaline rechargables have a globally uniform design as is already used by our Oxyrides. Put alongside the NiMH rechargable battery that has already been announced, the three types of batteries have three primary colors: blue, red, and green.

Inspired by:
http://plusd.itmedia.co.jp/lifestyle/articles/0601/16/news053.html

Press Release:
http://panasonic.co.jp/corp/news/official.data/data.dir/jn060116-1/jn060116-1.html

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Matsushita Electric Industrial, besides announcing new Oxyride rechargable battery products, announced that they will create the "Let's Launch a Manned Aircraft with Oxyride Rechargable Batteries " project in cooperation with Tokyo Technical University.

It is an experiment for the world's first manned aircraft powered by tube-style rechargable batteries available to consumers. An aircraft will be created by the summer of 2006 with cooperation from Tokyo Technical University and the university's "Meister" human-powered aircraft circle, and an inaugural flight is scheduled for July. The aircraft is planned to have propellers, and is estimated to use 100 AA Oxyride rechargable batteries.

Images availabe at Inspired By link.

Inspired by:
http://plusd.itmedia.co.jp/lifestyle/articles/0601/16/news056.html

Press Release:
http://panasonic.co.jp/corp/news/official.data/data.dir/jn060116-2/jn060116-2.html