US backs Massey research

Massey University has signed a deal with an American venture capital company to commercialise innovative battery technology developed by two of its researchers.

The university expects "significant financial returns" from milestone payments and royalties on battery sales.

The silver-zinc battery technology created by Dr Simon Hall and Dr Michael Liu lasts four times longer than existing silver-zinc batteries.

They have also created a nickel-zinc battery which lasts 2 1/2 times longer than nickel metal hydride batteries and four times longer than lead-acid batteries. The deal with Anzode was signed last week by Professor Nigel Long, assistant vice-chancellor for research, and Anzode chief Chris Officer. Officer, who is based in San Francisco, is the brother of Massey associate professor David Officer, who has been driving the university's big project to build cheaper and more efficient solar cells and batteries. The project was granted $3.87 million in Government money last year.

Anzode has paid Massey US$100,000 ($157,000) for an exclusive global licence to the zinc battery technology, which has been patented in more than 30 countries and territories. The battery has attracted interest from the US military, a US consumer electronics firm and the world's largest manufacturer of electronic components for cellphones and laptops.

- NZPA