Pixiq

I guess no one will ever forget a set of batteries for five years inside a photo bag, but it's good to know that if that happens you still might be able to get some juice out of the battery. You will, I mean, if the battery is a new eneloop from Sanyo.

Sanyo has just announced its new eneloop batteries, AA- and AAA-size nickel-metal hydride batteries which maintain their capacity even after 5 years of storage after recharging. The new eneloop batteries are also rechargeable approximately 1,800 times, an increase of approximately 20% compared to previous eneloop batteries which are rechargeable approximately 1,500 times.

The new batteries will be available on November 14, 2011 in Japan only.  Since their first release in November 2005, “eneloop” batteries have received high market appraisal for their user-friendliness, such as being “usable immediately after purchase” as well as being “rechargeable for repeated use” and “ready to use with even after 3 years of storage”.

 One of the biggest features of eneloop batteries is the low self discharge technology. Thanks to an improvement in the crystal lattice structure of hydrogen storing alloy used in the negative electrode, Sanyo developed the new eneloop batteries with lower self discharge. The new “eneloop” batteries maintain approximately 90% of their capacity after 1 year of storage. Furthermore, even after 5 year of storage, the new eneloop batteries are ready to use with approximately 70% of their capacity. This means that the new eneloop batteries are more suitable not only for daily life but for emergencies, reducing the need for customers to stockpile a large number of dry cell batteries.

Thanks to an improvement in the electrode materials, the new eneloop batteries are rechargeable approximately 1,800 times, an increase of approximately 20% compared to previous eneloop batteries and by approximately 80% compared to the first eneloop battery released in 2005. This means that the new eneloop batteries achieve further eco-friendliness, contributing to reduction of the waste of used batteries. Furthermore, the cost per use for the new eneloop batteries is reduced  whem compared with previous eneloop batteries.

Along with conventional eneloop batteries, in accordance with the Green Power Certification System, the new “eneloop” batteries are charged by “green power” from photovoltaic generation. This means that a part of the electric power used for manufacturing “eneloop” (the amount equivalent to that used for factory pre-charging) is generated using clean, renewable solar energy, part of Sanyo’s initiative to realize a “Clean Energy Loop,” where power is generated from renewable energy sources, stored for use when needed in batteries, and conserved or used efficiently for power-driven applications. Hence, the new “eneloop” truly embodies the concepts of “energy” and “looping,” from production to performance.

Furthermore, the Sanyo eneloop solar charger contributes to the realization of a clean lifestyle that recharges the eneloop batteries with solar energy and uses it for various gadgets.

The “eneloop plus” batteries to be launched on December 1, 2011 in Japan will also be rechargeable approximately 1,800 times and ready to use with approximately 90% of power remaining after 1 year of storage, and with approximately 70% of power remaining even after 5 years of storage like the new eneloop batteries. The eneloop plus battery houses a PTC thermistor which suppresses overheating in case of improper use and is safer to use for toys for small children. The eneloop plus was announced in June, 2011.