Longest lasting alkaline battery-world record set
by Evolta
[Jan 15] TOKYO-- Japan's Panasonic
has created the world's longest lasting alkaline battery, Evolta,
which will keep gadgets running 20 per cent longer than offerings
from rivals Duracell and Energizer, as well as its own upscale Oxyride
batteries. Photo: Panasonic's Evolta batteries are the
world's longest-lasting AA alkaline battery cell. -click
to enlarge photo
The new battery promises to keep your gadgets running
20 percent longer on average than today's offerings from rivals
like Duracell and Energizer, as well as Panasonic's own upscale
batteries called Oxyride. (AP Photo/Koji Sasahara)
The battery also has a 10 year shelf life, making it suitable to
store in preparation for disasters. Other batteries have about five
to seven years of shelf life, according to Panasonic officials.
The new structure of EVOLTA batteries provides
more internal space allowing storage of extra active materials and
increased sturdiness by using a new sealing technology for the cylindrical
container. -click
to enlarge
Newly-developed active materials for cathode
(new manganese dioxide and oxy-hydroxide titanium) and anode (zinc)
facilitate a chemical reaction that delivers superior performance.
To maximize the chemical reaction within the batteries,Panasonic
has improved the manufacturing process used for the Oxyride batteries
to pack active materials more evenly and densely.
As a result, EVOLTA batteries deliver excellent
performance in wide ranging equipment from low-current applications
such as TV remotes to high-drain applications like digital cameras.
Evolta goes on sale in April in Japan, and is planned
for overseas markets later this year, according to Matsushita Electric
Industrial Co., which makes Panasonic
brand products.
The batteries will cost about 590 yen (US$5.40; euro3.63)
for a pack of four in Japan, or about 15 percent higher than regular
batteries and 3 percent higher than Oxyride. Prices in the U.S.
and elsewhere aren't yet decided.
Matsushita, set to become Panasonic
Corp. in October, plans a major marketing drive for Evolta.
It still has a minimal share of the U.S. market in batteries, and
hopes to raise that with Evolta.
Disposable batteries are used widely in portable
electronics such as stereos and digital cameras. As smaller rivals
pump out low-cost disposable batteries, big-name manufacturers like
Matsushita increasingly must prove to consumers that their offerings
are worth a premium.
"We want to focus as much as possible on the
high-price zone," said Mitsuru Kurokawa, president of the Primary
Battery Company at Matsushita Battery Industrial Co., a Matsushita
unit.
Matsushita has sold 700 million Oxyride batteries worldwide
so far.
Matsushita makes the Panasonic brand of products
and will change its official company name to Panasonic this year.