Constant and pulse power capabilities of lead-acid batteries made with thin metal film (TMF®) for different applications

Conventional power sources are able to deliver high energy, but high-power demands can be met only with advanced electrochemical or heavy battery devices. BOLDER Technologies has developed a high-power cell (86 g, 1.0 A h, 2 V) based on patented Thin Metal Film (TMF®) Technology which is capable of delivering very high constant or pulse power for several applications. Six cells in a 0.5–1 kg pack are capable of delivering 1 to 1000 A with a stiff voltage plateau of 12 V for periods ranging from 1 h to a few milliseconds, respectively, and constant power not provided by any other battery chemistry. The BOLDER TMF® cells are made of thin lead foil and PbO active material, which gives enormous cost advantages compared with existing lead-acid batteries or with competing battery systems. This paper presents the high constant-power and pulse-power delivery characteristics of batteries made with TMF technology. The new concept of developing hybrid power sources with proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) or other battery types for electronic communication and turbine-starting applications is also discussed.