http://designnews.com/article/CA6418...rid=1297300122

Not even mentioned was use of nickel in our favorite batteries.

Bob Wilson

 

Why does this thread have a icon? Rising nickel prices wouldn't be good, unless you're trying to suggest that it would lead to a switch to lithium ion or something else.

 

The article provides background on the price of a metal critical to our batteries. Although a lot has been written about the promise of LiON batteries, there are no production hybrids using them for good reason.

The current LiON batteries have a thermal run-away problem that is built in to their design. They use a plastic barrier that is temperature sensitive. Once a pin-hole starts, it cascades into thermal runaway.

So nickel remains a critical element for our current hybrid batteries.

Bob Wilson

 

Get your nickel price graphs at:

www.lme.co.uk/nickel_graphs.asp

There have been exceptional changes since 2006. Hoard 1955 - 1981 Canadian nickel coins (if you can find them), as they are 99.9%

NiMH batteries are overall something like 0.1% of the market, with traction batteries being a small fraciton of that. Strong overall demand means that the new surface mines are certain in Indonesia and Madagascar. Too bad.

This materials cost has increased almost tenfold since the Prius began. Better believe that they are working hard on the Li substitutes.

The MGs' magnets are kinda nickely as well...

DAS

 

When will a politician suggest changing the content of our pennies and nickles?

 

In an attempt to avoid losing large quantities of circulating nickels to melting, the United States Mint introduced new interim rules on December 14th 2006 criminalizing the melting and export of pennies and nickels. Violators of these rules can be punished with a fine of up to $10,000, five years imprisonment, or both.

Since the metal in a nickel is now worth more than 5 cents laws like this are needed. How about change the metal instead, leaving the valuable resources for other purposes.

 

When I was very young, there was a 'paper' coin called a mill. Ten mills equaled a penny and 5 pennies would buy a coke.

http://www.weights-and-measures.com/...kcurrency.html

Of course in those days, we had to walk barefoot against the blowing snow to school, up hill, both ways.

Bob Wilson

 

and sometimes the pouring rain would kick up dust so bad you had to carry the horse!