September 17, 2008: QuantumSphere Inc., a developer of advanced catalyst materials, electrode devices, and related technologies for portable power and clean-energy applications, has filed a patent for technology that extends the capacity of rechargeable lithium ion batteries up to five times. The patent filing covers a novel electrode structure enriched with nano lithium particles that increases the fuel source in a rechargeable lithium ion battery, thus increasing battery life.

QuantumSphere intends to commercialize the technology to improve next-generation batteries for energy storage, consumer, and transportation applications.

This news follows a previous QuantumSphere battery announcement highlighting the development of a high-rate, paper-thin, nano-enabled electrode for disposable batteries. This earlier breakthrough patent pending air-electrode design increased power output by 320% in zinc-air cells, providing roughly 4× more power than equivalent sized alkaline batteries, and is expected to be commercialized in 2009.

“The electrodes our company is developing will expand battery capacity in a profound way, without a sacrifice in safety. Instead of four hours of operating time on a laptop computer, a single charge could last up to 12 hours and provide users with enough computing time for a complete round-trip flight between Los Angeles and New York,” said Kevin Maloney, president and CEO of QuantumSphere. “We believe this is a commercially viable technology that will have a major impact in a variety of consumer, industrial, and transportation applications.”