New Industry Products

Maxwell Introduces New Versions of BOOSTCAP Ultracapacitor Cells

May 14, 2006 by Jeff Shepard

Maxwell Technologies, Inc.(Nasdaq: MXWL) announced that it has introduced Power-type versions of its BOOSTCAP® "D-Cell" ultracapacitor cells, packs and modules to provide "life-of-the system" alternatives to batteries for automotive electrical power network stabilization and industrial applications.

Dr. Richard Balanson, Maxwell's president and chief executive officer, said that the new, flashlight battery size, BCAP0310 P250 310-farad cell and compact, fully integrated, six-cell 15-volt packs and modules provide simple, low-cost, backup power solutions to avoid malfunctions that occur when multiple simultaneous electrical power demands cause a "voltage sag" that can upset microprocessors that manage electrical subsystems in modern vehicles. Industrial applications include power on demand for robotic systems and uninterruptible power supplies (UPS).

"With more than 60 million new cars rolling off assembly lines around the world each year, and the proliferation of power-consuming luxury and safety features in current and future vehicles, automotive power network stabilization represents an immediate and very sizeable opportunity for ultracapacitor-based solutions, so we continue to move aggressively to capitalize on Maxwell's position as the global technology leader," Balanson said.

Dr. John M. Miller, Maxwell's vice president for advanced transportation applications, said that the BCAP0310 P250 is the latest addition to the company's line of Power-type ultracapacitor products which are intended to be an alternative to battery-based solutions for hybrid drive systems, idle stop-start, all-electric braking and steering and other applications in addition to power network stabilization.

Other new BOOSTCAP Power products include cells ranging in capacitance from 650 to 2,600 farads and 10 fully integrated modules based on the new cells. All of the cells with a capacitance of 650 farads or greater operate at 2.7 volts, enabling them to store more energy and deliver more power per unit volume than many commercially available ultracapacitor products.

Maxwell also offers a line of low-cost Energy-type products for lighter duty industrial, UPS, telecommunications and consumer electronics applications. Miller noted that Maxwell's multi-cell modules for automotive applications are encased in rugged, splash-proof aluminum chassis and include internal cell balancing that give designers "plug and play" solutions, plus module-to-module balancing that makes them versatile building blocks for systems with higher voltage requirements.