The PS3 and the Lithium Drag on Growth from Sony

Sony had to face numerous charges in 2006 related to the release of the latest version of the PlayStation and the removal of defective lithium batteries in their laptops. These problems led to a drop in operating profit of 68.3% to 71,800 million yen (608 million). The Japanese company's sales, which grew by 10.5% to 8.29 trillion yen (70,303,000 dollars), sustained growth.

The Sony's gaming division increased sales by 6.1% in 2006 thanks to the extension of its offer with the PS3, sank into the red with a loss from operations of 232,300 million yen (1,969 million dollars) . Pay the bill and the release of the PS3, which came to Nippon and U.S. markets stumbled in early November, a year later than its rival Xbox 360 and a month later than the Wii.

The proper functioning of the art televisions, such as BRAVIA, VAIO notebooks and their Cyber-shot digital cameras, offset the ordeal caused by the consoles. Thus, the electronics division totaled about 70% of company sales, with revenue of 6.05 trillion yen (51,275,000 dollars), 16.9% more than the same period in 2005 .

Moreover, blockbuster titles as "The Da Vinci Code" or "Casino Royale" championed the production of the film division of Sony, which made a profit from operations of 42,700 million yen (8,189,000 dollars), or 55, 7% more than in 2005.

The fiscal year closed with 67 600 million loss ($ 573 million) between January and March. The company Nippon is more optimistic for the current fiscal year (ending March 31, 2008) and expects its net profit shot up to 320,000 million yen, which would mean 153% more than in 2006, a wave of its LCD TVs and sales off the PS3.

In full "console war" worldwide launch of the PS3, surrounded by problems at the end of the year was a drag on the company, which sees as its main rival, the Japanese Nintendo also makes a delicious box your Wii console.

Gardening Is More Comfortable And Fun for 60% of Spanish

Bosch launches new generation of Isio II, scissors, lawnmower arreglasetos and most its new design makes them lighter scissors, manageable and complete ones reliable 

The new lithium battery has 30% more capacity than its predecessor and less time charging 

Incorporates the “Anti-Blocking” for difficult cuts 

Bosch launches Isio II, the second generation of the scissors arreglasetos and Isio mower, featuring a new design and features that make them the most complete and sophisticated market, being particularly suitable for 60% of the Spanish population, who spends part of his leisure gardening and DIY. Among the novelties of this new family include the newlithium-ion battery, which allows a 30% longer, an “Anti-Blocking” that optimizes the cut, ensuring that thicker leaves, even the cutting of branches or bushes dense herbs, you can perform in a reliable and powerful, and a design that enhances the elegance and comfort. 

With over one million units sold in the first version of this power tool ‘wireless’, Isio II offers more power, strength and comfort for the care of shrubs and lawn edges of the market, to the delight of all those gardeners and DIY, to which the Spanish spend an average of at least six hours a month. Especially in the chalets, cottages and second homes in general, become centers that bring together most gardening activities, hobby in recent years has experienced significant growth in Spain, especially Madrid, Catalonia , Basque Country, Valencia and Andalusia. 

Especially suitable for lovers of gardening, the new Isio II is very handy, powerful and lightweight for the effectiveness of the technology of lithium battery pack in the second generation has a range of 50 minutes. Similarly, the time for charging the battery is reduced, requiring only three hours to perform a complete charging cycle instead of five, as before. Another advantage of the lithium battery is not self-discharge or memory effect, so that the tool is always ready for use and can be loaded at any time, regardless of the current state of charge in the battery. All this in about 500 grams, making it one of the lighter garden tools market, which makes them a suitable tool for women in general and fans who can not bear much weight on your hands. 

The new generation of shears and mower arreglasetos Isio II shows at all times been in an integrated LED display two colors: if the screen turns green, the battery is fully charged, when left only a third of the capacity the battery, the green light from the screen starts flashing. A flashing red light on the screen reports that the battery is gradually running out, while a permanent red light signals that the battery needs recharging. You do not need a special adapter to recharge the battery, requiring only a simple charger cable. Thus, the user always knows the state of charge of your tool. 

The “Anti-Blocking” present in this second generation ensures uninterrupted cutting, even in thicker branches or edges of the long grass. The technology of this system detects if the blade can not cut the plants. If there is any risk of clogging, the direction of the sheet is automatically adjusted so that the cut does not stop. The leaves reduce their power and return to the same position or when the branch has been completely cut grass. Therefore, the new Isio II cut the branches and grass in a much more effective than mowers that do not have the antilock system. 

The scissors Isio II also has improved with its new design. The handle incorporates a vibration pad bigger, not only gives a better appearance but also makes the tool more comfortable to handle. Moreover, the scissors have a silver stripe that gives an even more elegant. 

The new generation of lawnmower and shrubs Isio II with lithium battery is already available in specialty shops and supermarkets gardening. The recommended price for the new Bosch Isio II with a sheet (a choice between lawn mower or bush) is € 69.95, while for the Isio with the game of the two sheets is 79.95 €, and finally to the telescopic handle Isio the suggested retail price of € 89.95 (VAT not included). 

Reference: http://largebattery.fotopages.com/?entry=3688080

It Comes with Air Conditioning Clothes

This would be the new Japanese fashion, with garments equipped with its own air units. Is possible solution to Tucuman?

In Japan, the fashion trend is revolutionizing the market because the company Kuchofuku Co. Ltd manufactures air-conditioned clothes looking and the most ingenious ways of cooling, while saving energy due to the nuclear crisis caused by the earthquake.

A jacket contains two electric fans powered by a lithium ion battery that lasts 11 hours on one charge, which requires much less energy than conventional air conditioning. The garment has a cost of 11,000 yen (about U.S. $ 130).

Many people are fascinated with these clothes, for example, Ryo Igarashi, 33, said that where you work is hot and has to wear long sleeves, so I dropped like a glove these clothes to avoid a heat stroke.

Kuchofuku products are not new, are the efforts of Japan to save energy have become very popular cooling garments and devices, such as pillows and blankets with circulating air conditioning. Also the foam that removes the heat is a sensation in Japan.

A lithium Print

Built on a flexible substrate with the techniques of printing, this battery is thicker than experimental half a millimeter. This is the second time such a feat - promising - is successful in the laboratory. The novelty is that this is a polymer lithium battery, a well known family.

It is Japan that ultrafine flexible battery has been developed, at least at the prototype stage. Its designers are not academics and are short on details. Their work is part of an industrial research project scheduled until 2011 and comprising several large companies within a structure, AMIC (Advanced Materials Innovation Center), established a foundation for science, MIESC (Mie Industry and Enterprise Support Center), controlled by the government.

We know that the battery was performed using a printing technique on a flexible polymer substrate. Two models have been designed, providing a 2 volts, the other 4 volts. The techniques of printed electronics progressing fast enough and we know in fact that can be applied on a surface of the electrolyte layer and insulation forming a battery in which electrodes are formed by the two sides of the sheet.

This is also not a first. Last summer, a team from the Fraunhofer Institute, one of Reinhard Baumann, Chemnitz, Germany, had already made an ultrathin flexible battery using printing techniques. In the German model, was the anode and cathode zinc manganese.

The battery flexible project AMIC. On the left, a room of 100 yen (22.6 mm) gives the scale. © Nikkei Electronics

A process industrially

Japanese researchers, they have used a polymer (a plastic material so) impregnated with electrolyte, which serves to channel the lithium ions. The result is a lithium-polymer, variation of the lithium-ion battery, which is already small thicknesses.

The refinement of the prototype Japanese is much better: they are thicker than 500 microns, a value similar to that of the German prototype. But the Japanese say they can do better. Indeed, the printing technique used is that of the laboratory, but Japanese researchers said, on an industrial scale, it would be possible to use the presses roll, which would achieve a much lower thickness.

As an application, designers imagined example of such batteries to stick-on sheets of photovoltaic cells. This produces a device that would serve both to produce an electric current and store. But one of the missions of these manufacturers is to find alternative outlets for lithium battery pack thin and flexible.

Reference: http://free-pressrelease.org/2012011136145/a-lithium-print.html

Argentina produced lithium battery science Cordoba

In October, the country will develop this technology on an industrial scale. Scientists at the UNC lead the ambitious project.

Lithium is the gold in the coming decades. Computers, cell phones, used cars, and used batteries in this metal.

Argentina has the raw materials in the salt mines of the Puna. It has the world's third largest reserves. Cordoba has the knowledge to transform it into batteries.

"The province will be the great center of the development of lithium battery in the country along with La Plata," says Daniel Barraco, researcher and physicist who coordinates the research and development project for the production of batteries.

The group consists of researchers from the faculties of Mathematics, Astronomy and Physics and Chemical Science, National University of Cordoba, and the Universidad Nacional de La Plata and the National Atomic Energy Commission.

It also intervenes Sol.ar fledgling company, which has capital of Cordoba. The lithium-ion battery will be produced in the provinces where the lithium is extracted (Jujuy, Salta and Catamarca). The electronics could be produced in Cordoba.

"In October approved will produce batteries for notebooks. In four years will produce batteries for cars, "said Barraco.

The project has strong momentum of the National Government. Involved the Ministries of Industry, Science and Economics.

Already begun the process to buy a plant to produce batteries. "What was done in the laboratory is the lithium battery pack for PC or phone. This means that we cathode, anode and electrolyte, "said Barraco.

Of lithium of the salars must be obtained lithium carbonate to 99 percent concentration. Then perform the different pastas that go into the batteries.

Purification

In October, domestic batteries will be produced with purchased pulp. Next year is expected to produce pasta in Argentina and later obtained the lithium concentration in the salt mines of the Puna. This is another project to build a pilot plant for purification.

The brine ton costs 300 dollars a tonne of lithium carbonate concentrate, six thousand dollars. A car battery 10 kilos, 10 thousand dollars. "In 2020 there will be 200 million cars on batteries. It is a multimillion dollar business, "said Barraco.

He adds: "The idea is to develop a clean technology that allows us to understand the processes of remediation after extraction. It also offers insight into the price control to collect royalties from foreign companies. "

While lithium extraction has less environmental impact as gold, the goal is to avoid what happens to this activity, which pays royalties low and fails to remedy the sites after the operation.