Firefly Energy

Firefly Energy is a Peoria, Illinois-based startup company that is an offshoot of Caterpillar Inc. The company focuses on the development of next-generation lead-acid batteries. In 2006, Firefly was recognized by Frost and Sullivan for its research into carbon foam-based electrode technology, known by the tradenames of 3D and 3D². Firefly claims their new batteries have superior corrosion resistance compared to conventional lead acid batteries, as well as energy and power density rivaling that of more exotic chemistries, e.g. nickel metal hydride and lithium ion.

As of May 2007, exact specifications have not been publicly released for 3D or 3D². However, Firefly claims that its technology offers "3 to 4 times" the energy density of conventional lead acid batteries. This correlates to a capacity in the range of 90-160 Watt-hours/kg.

Firefly intends to eventually sell its batteries to the battery electric vehicle market, although in the short term it is only selling the technology to the military and heavy machinery markets.

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Firefly Energy

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