Nanotechnology Now - Press Release: "Contour Energy Systems Announces Next-Generation Coin Cell Batteries"

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Abstract:
Company's First Commercial Products Feature Extended Battery Life Breakthroughs for Automotive, Consumer, Industrial, Military and Medical Markets

Contour Energy Systems Announces Next-Generation Coin Cell Batteries

Azusa, CA | Posted on September 22nd, 2010

Contour Energy Systems, Inc. an innovative portable power company commercializing next-generation battery systems, today announced it will be releasing its first line of coin cell batteries with availability starting in the fourth quarter 2010. Contour's new line of lithium coin cells, based on its patented Fluorinetic™ battery technology, offer original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) significantly longer battery life and other performance advantages for multiple device categories and applications spanning automotive, consumer, industrial, and medical markets.

"Unlike other battery companies competing in commodity markets, Contour is focusing on niche markets and applications where performance really matters," said Joe Fisher, CEO of Contour Energy Systems. "This is a strategic path to achieving higher margins and greater profitability through next-generation innovation. The introduction of our first coin cell products addresses device and application opportunities that can benefit most from our superior energy density, durability and longevity."

The new coin cell products will be available for the following market segments and applications:

Automotive: Contour coin cells can tolerate expanded cold and high temperature ranges and are well-suited for the tire pressure monitoring systems (TPMS) that are becoming ubiquitous in new commercial vehicles.

Consumer: Contour is finalizing a range of "purpose-built" coin cells targeting the fast-emerging 3D market as well as other applications including LED lighting products and other portable electronic devices.

Industrial: Contour's coin cells are targeted at the fast-proliferating smart meters, RFID, sensors and memory back up systems that require extended battery life and the ability to withstand rugged field conditions and widely fluctuating temperatures.

Military: To address the soldier's demand for robust and long-lasting performance for mission critical devices, Contour's new coin cell products will prove to be indispensable for applications such as remote sensors, memory back-up, and reticle scopes.

Medical: Glucose monitoring systems, drug dispensing devices and bone growth stimulators represent three near term medical device opportunities that will take advantage of the new coin cells' higher energy and power densities and longer service life.

"A whole host of diverse applications is driving the need for next-generation coin cell batteries equipped with new performance capabilities," said Vishal Sapru, Industry Manager, North America, Energy & Power Systems at Frost & Sullivan. "Extended run time is essential for any application. But as new portable power applications emerge, temperature durability, improved discharge rates and longer shelf life are increasingly important considerations, especially in medical and industrial markets. Contour's Fluorinetic technology is delivering on each of these next-generation battery requirements."

Contour's Coin Cell Advantages
The new coin cell product line from Contour will feature four primary advantages: greater runtime, better discharge rates, longer shelf life and safer environmental design compared to current lithium products which can contain heavy metals, perchlorate and other dangerous and caustic materials. Contour's patented Fluorinetic technology leverages breakthrough lithium/carbon fluoride advancements to achieve these high energy and power densities. The use of a solid cathode with no heavy metals or other toxic materials minimizes safety and environmental concerns. In addition, the advanced lithium/carbon-fluoride batteries overcome operational problems exhibited by some other lithium batteries, such as passivation, which has a significant voltage drop upon starting up a device.

"The use of our Fluorinetic technology in our coin cell design has provided significant breakthroughs in the power, energy, and environmental features versus competing chemistry systems," said Eric Lind, vice president of business development at Contour Energy Systems. "As we continue our future product introductions, we will have an array of products that take advantage of this technology."

Contour's advanced coin cells currently exceed all others tested in both power density and maximum safe current draw. Testing demonstrates up to an eight times improvement in high-current applications and up to two-times improvement in traditional coin cell applications. This makes the Contour coin cell line particularly well suited for applications that require high sustained or pulse currents and greater durability.

Availability
Contour's first coin cells, based on the most popular 2032 format, are available for volume customer shipments starting in the fourth quarter of 2010. Evaluation samples are available immediately. This is the first in a continuing rollout of new coin cells featuring different form factors based on Contour's patented Fluorinetic technology.

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About Contour Energy Systems
Contour Energy Systems is an innovative portable power company commercializing customizable battery technologies for a wide range of cross-industry applications. Contour’s next-generation battery systems are designed to deliver unprecedented improvements in energy and power density, and are capable of performing in extreme operating conditions at significantly improved costs. Founded through the collaboration of CalTech and CNRS, the French National Center for Scientific Research, the company combines expertise in nano-materials science, patented Fluorinetic™ technologies and proprietary manufacturing processes to significantly advance the state of portable power. Headquartered in Azusa, CA, Contour Energy is managed by a world-class team of battery industry leaders from CalTech, Energizer, Duracell, ConocoPhillips, Hewlett-Packard and Ultralife. The company is privately held with funding from CMEA Capital, Harris and Harris, Schlumberger and US Venture Partners.

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Contacts:
1300 W. Optical Drive, Suite 300
Azusa, CA 91702
(P) 626.610.0660
(F) 626.389.5086

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