Battery Power - January/February 2012 - (Page 15)

Battery Evolution: Ensuring Batteries Meet the Safety Concerns Of a Changing World Rich Byczek, Technical Lead for Electric Vehicle and Energy Storage Intertek People depend on batteries for a number of reasons. Pacemakers and defibrillators, for instance, work inside the body to keep the heart pumping. Mobile handset batteries power communication, facilitating a global marketplace and a fast-paced economy. Automobile batteries make it possible to travel at will. As these products and a host of others are being redeveloped and refined and consumers demand more from their devices, batteries have to be able to satisfy ever-increasing market demands. Manufacturers in the Information Age have seen the marketplace and its dependence on bigger and better batteries change rapidly. This has altered the considerations for battery certification and consumers’ needs. Though consumers have always prioritized product safety, the wealth of information available allows them to be more knowledgeable than ever. Because of this, manufacturers will want to certify their products for additional safety standards that their competitors may not have, allowing them to make true marketing claims and boost their products’ appeal. Another side effect of the past decade’s technological explosion is that the world’s connectedness has facilitated a global marketplace. The doors to international commerce have been flung open, expanding the market tenfold. Consequently, there are more competitors. This indicates that manufacturers should ensure their products satisfy international safety and performance standards along with domestic standards to stay competitive. Lastly, the green movement has permeated the marketplace and consumers’ purchasing decisions. Manufacturers now prioritize green initiatives to soothe the collective consumer conscience. Backing up these claims with the proper certification will increase manufacturers’ credibility. All of these factors are a major influence on the certifications manufacturers will need to achieve in the near future. Incorporating these factors into product development now will mitigate the costs of adaptation further down the line. Safety First Product safety is a crucial component of the development and manufacturing process. When batteries are recalled or worse, cause injury or death to a user, manufacturers will suffer www.BatteryPowerOnline.com January/February 2012 • Battery Power 15 http://www.maccor.com http://www.maccor.com http://www.BatteryPowerOnline.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Battery Power - January/February 2012

Battery Power - January/February 2012
Contents
East Penn’s Batteries Play Key Role in Solar Energy Storage Project
The Rechargeable Battery Association Endorses UN Efforts to Improve Lithium Ion Battery Transport Safety Regulations
Usable Energy: Key to Determining the True Cost Of Advanced Lithium Ion Battery Systems for Electric Vehicles
Battery Chargers – Moving Towards Smart Chargers
Battery Evolution: Ensuring Batteries Meet the Safety Concerns of a Changing World
Batteries
Charging & Testing
ICs and Semiconductors
Components
Power Supplies
Industry News
Marketplace
Calendar of Events
Can Ultracapacitors Revolutionize the Electric Vehicle Market?

Battery Power - January/February 2012