First Look: Energizer Zinc Air Prismatic Battery

Zinc Air Prismatic Battery Performance

There is a wide range of interest in utilizing Zinc Air Prismatic in portable audio players, remote controls, Bluetooth headsets, noise canceling headsets, computer peripherals and many other portable consumer electronic devices. One of the reasons that the Energizer Zinc Air Prismatic lasts longer than traditional batteries is because the cathode material is replaced by the very thin Air Electrode, freeing up space for more anode material. The benefit is up to 3X the runtime of an equivalent size alkaline or Lithium Ion rechargeable battery as shown in the chart above.

Energizer Zinc Air Prismatic PP355 Specifications:

• Classification: Zinc Air Prismatic
• Chemical System: Zinc Air (Zn-O2)
• Designation: PP355
• Nominal Voltage: 1.4 volts
• Rated Capacity: 1800 mAh (90 hour discharge)
• Rating Drain: 20 mA continuous at 21C/50% RH to 1.0V
• Typical Weight: 6.8 grams (0.25 ounces)
• Typical Volume: 2.3 cubic centimeters (0.14 cubic inches)
• Typical Impedance: 500 m at 1K Hz Air Requirements: 1.3 cc air/min @ 25 mA

Looking at the energy density of the Zinc Air Prismatic, it ranks right up there next to fuel cells!

Production on the Zinc Air Prismatic battery series will begin as early as mid-year 2009, depending upon the size and when OEM partners decide to launch their Zinc Air Prismatic devices. Energizer has three part numbers in their proposed product line with the PP425, PP355, and PP255 batteries, so those will be the parts to keep an eye on as they will be coming to market before other sizes. With Energizer targeting $0.50 per battery for initial OEM pricing it will be interesting to see how long it takes for technology like this to reach the remote controls we have in our living rooms. With an affordable price tag, more power, and the fact that it is environmentally benign it looks like a winner from every angle except for use in space by NASA. It looks like the whole lack of Oxygen thing wouldn’t work too well with Zinc. When we get more updates about the Zinc Air Prismatic battery series we will be sure to fill you in.