The Next Generation of Energy Storage Devices

Modern batteries are limited in their ability to sustain an efficient electrochemical conversion process.  As the battery ages the conversion process degrades, the battery performance declines and eventually the battery will fail.  AGT has developed a patented technology that uses ultrasonic energy to increase battery performance by altering the electrochemical conversion process, resulting in improved battery efficiency, increased capacity, and extended service life

Technology

AGT offers customized product solutions to improve the efficiency of battery-based energy storage systems.  Efficiency gains are achieved through the injection of low levels of ultrasonic energy, which modifies the electrochemical performance within the battery and reduces its internal impedance.  This effect provides increased capacity, reduced charging times, reduced size, weight, and material needs.  The ultrasonic energy is transferred to the battery through a low power actuator ( shown in Figure 1) which can be retrofitted onto existing batteries or incorporated directly into the structure of new batteries.

Figure 1.  Sample Actuators

Product-based customized solutions are determined through analysis of customers’ existing or planned energy systems, development of the optimal mechanism and location to apply the ultrasonic energy to their particular batteries, and testing to validate the performance improvements.  Additional value can be added to a product-based offering through the incorporation of controls to optimize battery impedance for a given application.  Once validated, a customized product-based solution will be licensed to customers for incorporation into their energy systems.

AGT’s ultrasonic technology also improves certain electrochemical conversion processes that are affected by ultrasonic energy.  Widespread industry examples that are being pursued include battery electrode formation and electrochemical plating. 

When a client licenses AGT’s technology they get clarity in their energy systems performance, i.e. The”Boost” in the UPBA aconym discussed earlier.

AGT’s  UPBA^TM solutions add value since we can enhance the performance and extend the life of existing batteries.  Most importantly, is that the industry as a whole has been seeking an “advanced” battery technology for decades, and lead-acid has still prevailed!  New and so-called “disruptive” technologies and chemistries fail to win market share because their developers and supporters fail to account for incremental improvements and enhancements to the prevailing technology they are trying to displace or replace.  This is especially true with utilities, because reliability, availability, and familiarity with the product (i.e. staff training, O&M characteristics, existing expertise, etc…)—in other words, predictability—is critical.  AGT’s UPBA^TM technology is nothing more than an add-on to an already proven technology that everybody understands – AGT just makes it better.

About Active Grid Technology

Modern batteries are limited in their ability to sustain an efficient electrochemical conversion process.  As the battery ages the conversion process degrades, the battery performance declines and eventually the battery will fail.  AGT has developed a patented technology that uses ultrasonic energy to increase battery performance by altering the electrochemical conversion process, resulting in improved battery efficiency, increased capacity, and extended service life.  Proof-of-concept testing has demonstrated performance improvements of approximately 20-40%.