Will Notebook Battery Pack Recalls Breed New Battery Technology?

Dell on Aug. 14 recalled more than 4 million notebook battery packs, similar to whats shown here, used by machines such as its Latitude corporate notebooks and Inspiron consumer machines, citing fire hazard. The packs use Sony-made lithium-ion cel

Apple on Aug. 24 joined Dell in recalling battery packs. It pledged to replace 1.8 million Sony cell battery packs, similar to whats shown here, made for its PowerBook G4 and iBook G4 portable PCs, citing a risk of overheating.

Photo: Apple

Lenovo on Sept. 28 recalled 526,000 battery packs used along with its ThinkPad T Series, R Series and X Series notebooks, similar to whats shown here, citing a risk of overheating and fire.

Photo: CPSC

Zinc Matrix Powers CEO, Ross Dueber, pictured here, says he believes his companys silver-zinc battery recipe has the ability to one day replace lithium-ion technology in notebook battery packs.

Photo: Zinc Matrix Power

Zinc Matrix Powers prototype 75 watt-hour battery pack.

Photo: Zinc Matrix Power

UltraCell is one of several companies developing fuel cells to power notebook PCs. It has been sampling a fuel cell, pictured here, to customers. It plans to put the device into production in early 2007.

Photo: UltraCell

UltraCells fuel cell, shown here powering a Panasonic ToughBook notebook PC, can be used as an substitute electrical outlet, company officials said.

Photo: UltraCell