Lead battery materials firm ArcActive has been awarded the 2020 Sally Breidegam Miksiewicz Innovation Award during the Battery Council International’s (BCI) virtual conference on 27 April.
The New Zealand-based firm has re-engineered the negative electrode of the lead battery to remove the lead grid and replace it with a non-woven carbon fibre fabric (AACarbon™).
The innovation gives lead batteries a better dynamic charge acceptance while delivering low water consumption.
The technology has the potential to double the fuel efficiency (and result in CO2 reduction) of the hybrid system in micro hybrid vehicles – which are forecast to be the mass-market car for decades to come.
Daramic and TBS Engineering received honourable mentions for their submissions.
Stuart McKenzie, chief executive officer of ArcActive, said: “We’ve been working on this technology for nine years and it’s been a huge challenge, so to receive this recognition from our peers is really meaningful.
“We’d also like to thank the battery makers who have made a huge contribution into making this all a reality with their manufacturing, technical and sales support.”
BCI received 13 submissions for the 2020 Innovation Award.
Roger Miksad, executive vice president and general counsel of BCI: “We are excited to showcase these innovations to both the industry and the public, and to see how these advances will continue to impact the lead battery industry over time.”
The annual award is presented to celebrate innovation throughout all areas of the manufacturing, recycling and distribution process, including packaging, technology, equipment, safety, chemistry and beyond.
The award was established in 2015 to honour industry thought leader, Sally Breidegam Miksiewicz, former CEO of East Penn Manufacturing Co.
