White Papers

Rayovac's Revolutionary Rechargeable Technology to Offer Tremendous Advantages For OEMS

• Longest-lasting rechargeable battery for many devices
• Lasts up to four times longer than alkaline
• Battery charging in 15 minutes or less
• Safe, lower-cost charging

MADISON, Wis. -- Rayovac Corp. (NYSE: ROV) has announced the development of a revolutionary new rechargeable technology that will shorten charging time to an unprecedented 15 minutes or less. Rayovac's patent-pending I-C³ technology' (In-Cell Charging Control) puts the control of recharging into the battery, instead of the charger. This breakthrough in Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMH) technology offers significant performance and convenience advantages over existing rechargeable and disposable battery systems. When commercialized, the Rayovac I-C³ technology NiMH batteries will be the longest-lasting rechargeable for many devices and will last up to four times longer than regular single-use alkaline.

The groundbreaking Rayovac I-C³ technology has the potential to provide tremendous advantages for Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs). The In-Cell Charge Control system is ideal for high-tech, high-drain electronic devices (such as digital cameras and cell phones), household devices (including power tools and toys) and other emerging technologies (e-scooters/e-bikes, web-based electronics). Rayovac is currently evaluating options for strategic partnerships with major OEMs.

I-C³ An Extraordinary Advance in Rechargeables
A rechargeable battery with built-in charging control will provide several significant advantages over other battery technologies:

• Fastest recharging time ever - 15 minutes or less
• Longest-lasting rechargeable battery in many devices and lasts up to four times longer than alkaline
• Lower-cost chargers - reduced need for expensive smart charging circuitry because the control is in the cell
• Batteries can be recharged up to 1,000 times
• Safe design - system monitors the charge in each individual battery, eliminating internal cell pressure build-up for safety, speed and reliability. Delivers lower temperature profiles during charging; increased tolerance to misuse.

The In-Cell Charge Control system will allow the fastest recharge available due to the system's ability to control the internal cell pressure. With currently available technology, expensive smart electronics must be built into the fast chargers to monitor voltage and temperature and avoid excessive pressure build-up. With I-C³ technology, the battery will control internal pressure. This breakthrough will now allow faster, lower-cost charging

Longest-Lasting Batteries
In digital cameras, the new Rayovac I-C³ NiMH AA size batteries will deliver up to four times more shots than any alkaline AA size battery and more than any comparable-size lithium ion battery, based on current American National Standards Institute (ANSI) battery tests. In devices such as power tools and emerging technologies like e-scooters, this new Rayovac I-C³ technology system would last 20 percent longer than any current rechargeable battery, as well as significantly reducing charge time.

"This dramatic I-C³ rechargeable technology breakthrough will allow design engineers to offer consumers unparalleled improvements in performance and convenience," said Rayovac Chairman and CEO Dave Jones. "We can now offer OEMs the longest-lasting, fastest-charging rechargeable battery technology ever for both their current electronic devices and their future technology-based applications."

For more information about Rayovac's I-C³ NiMH technology or any of the Company's other battery products, contact: Jim Pilarzyk, OEM division engineering manager, 608-275-4492 or e-mail: I-C3info@rayovac.com