Murata is exploring the possibilities of new technologies to cultivate the new businesses that will contribute to the society of the future. The themes the Company is pursuing are the environment, energy and biotechnologies. The challenges we face are controlling emissions of greenhouse gases that lead to global warming and early detection of adult diseases.
Hybrid vehicles run on gasoline engines and electric motors. Key to their widespread use is increased functionality of the secondary batteries (rechargeable batteries) that serve as a power source for their motors.
Nickel-Metal Hydride batteries are used in currently marketed hybrid vehicles. These batteries, put to practical use in 1990, provide twice the electrical power capacity of previously mainstream nickel cadmium secondary batteries, in addition to being free from noxious cadmium and offering other superior characteristics.
Murata is promoting high-power lithium ion secondary batteries for hybrid vehicles. Double the power of Nickel-Metal Hydride batteries provides superior acceleration, in addition to shorter recharge time, longer life and compact design. To realize these ideal power sources, we tied up with a large-scale battery production company and an electronic component materials manufacturer*1. Murata, a leading company of chip monolithic capacitors, merges its unique layering techniques, electrical double-layer capacitors*2 once commercialized and battery material technologies, with the two companies' battery and materials technologies, and aims to bring high-power lithium ion secondary batteries to the market by fall 2008.
The car is intended to transport passengers. Therefore, ensuring of safety is of paramount importance. However, lithium ion secondary batteries use organic solvents, which has led to criticisms of uncertain safety at high temperatures. In response, Murata has employed a monolithic structure with excellent radiation performance. Furthermore, through the use of special materials, we have bolstered safety performance, with experimental results showing no ignition, even at several times overcharge of specified values. Murata is building safe and powerful ideal power sources to spread hybrid vehicles with low environmental load.
*1 The two other companies are: ENAX, INC., a large-scale battery production company; and Daiken Chemical Co., Ltd., an electronic component materials manufacturer.
*2 Electrical double-layer capacitor: A type of capacitor, which serves as a device that can temporarily store and discharge electrical energy. Compared with conventional batteries, these capacitors last longer and recharge more quickly.
Masanori Endo
Manager, Engineering section,
Energy Device Business Development
Department |
We began partial sample shipments of Murata's high-power lithium ion secondary batteries in spring 2007. They are characterized by instantaneous high output and enhanced safety.
We are working on improving electrical characteristics and ensuring absolute safety with a view to supplying these batteries for hybrid vehicles. Currently, we are going through repetitions of trials and assessments.
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