Originally published August 20 2005
Japanese electronics company develops environmentally-friendly rechargeable battery
by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, NaturalNews Editor
Japanese company NEC recently unveiled a new rechargeable battery for cell phones and laptop computers that generates its power from the electrochemical reaction of organic radical compounds instead of the traditional (potentially harmful) metals such as mercury, lead and cadmium, C-Net News reports.
Japan's NEC is developing a new type of eco-friendly battery designed to help keep PCs and other household equipment working if the lights go out.
The device, which NEC calls a high-power organic radical battery, or ORB, is novel for its environmental sensitivity.
NEC said it designed the rechargeable battery to use the electrochemical reaction of organic radical compounds rather than potentially harmful heavy metals such as mercury, lead and cadmium, which are usually found in batteries.
Scientists have been working to improve battery life and make them more eco-friendly than alkaline batteries since the mid-'50s, when solar-powered batteries were introduced.
The ORB technology, initially proposed by NEC in 2001, has gone through a series of tests already.
When a power failure, blackout or voltage drop of 20 percent occurs, NEC said ORB sends off a signal to the computer and helps initiate a data backup and shutdown.
During this period, the ORB supplies power to the PC.
The cells, which weigh an additional 3 ounces, can be easily mounted in most desktop PCs, NEC said.
The 2.1-inch by 1.6-inch battery has enough power to drive a 140-watt PC for about a minute, just enough time, NEC said, for a computer to back up precious files and settings.
In its testing phase, ORB was able to serve as an emergency power source for NEC's typical desktop PC power consumption: 228-watt maximum, 96-watt average, the company said.
The company said it is stepping up its research and development activities in the area of data backup, as well as its research into the ORB's market potential.
NEC and Japan's New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO) helped coordinate the development of ORB.
All content posted on this site is commentary or opinion and is protected under Free Speech. Truth Publishing LLC takes sole responsibility for all content. Truth Publishing sells no hard products and earns no money from the recommendation of products. NaturalNews.com is presented for educational and commentary purposes only and should not be construed as professional advice from any licensed practitioner. Truth Publishing assumes no responsibility for the use or misuse of this material. For the full terms of usage of this material, visit www.NaturalNews.com/terms.shtml