Advanced Battery Control developing prototype for longer lasting energy source

Does it come with batteries? It's a required question for most electronics purchases, however, buyers of the new electric-hybrid vehicles like the Chevrolet Volt have a different version of that question. How long will the batteries last?

A number of startups are working to improve the answer to the question, including Advanced Battery Control. The University of Michigan spinout is developing a battery management technology that extends the life of the newer and bigger lithium-ion batteries in these vehicles.

"Battery management is the key to making the whole battery pack operate long enough, say 15 years," says Hahnsang Kim, co-founder of Advanced Battery Control. "Current technology barely lasts for a 10-15 year warranty."

Advanced Battery Control, started in May in Ann Arbor, is in the early stages of developing this technology and creating a prototype. It recently placed in the Clean Energy Prize contest and is a semifinalist with the Accelerate Michigan Innovation Competition. The five-person team is now fundraising so it can finish building its prototype within six months.

Source: Hahnsang Kim, co-founder of Advanced Battery Control
Writer: Jon Zemke

Read more about Metro Detroit's growing entrepreneurial ecosystem at SEMichiganStartup.com.