05-02-2008, 06:47 AM
|
#44 (permalink)
|
|
immoral minority
|
Well it may help if the oil companies can't buy out and shelve any possible cheap alternative to fuel.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nickel_...ydride_battery
http://www.gassavers.org/archive/ind...ts/t-6853.html
Quote:
Patent encumbrance of NiMH batteries
In 1994, General Motors acquired a controlling interest in Ovonics's battery
development and manufacturing, including patents controlling the
manufacturing of large nickel metal hydride (NiMH) batteries in the United
States. In 2001, Texaco purchased GM's share in GM Ovonics. A few months
later, Chevron acquired Texaco. In 2003, Texaco Ovonics Battery Systems was
restructured into Cobasys, a 50/50 joint venture between Chevron and Energy
Conversion Devices (ECD) Ovonics.[13] Chevron's influence over Cobasys
extends beyond a strict 50/50 joint venture. Chevron holds a 19.99% interest
in ECD Ovonics.[14] Chevron also maintains veto power over any sale or
licensing of NiMH technology.[15] In addition, Chevron maintains the right
to seize all of Cobasys' intellectual property rights in the event that ECD
Ovonics does not fulfill its contractual obligations.[15] On September 10,
2007, Chevron filed a legal claim that ECD Ovonics has not fulfilled its
obligations. ECD Ovonics disputes this claim.[16] NiMH patent expires in
2015.
In her book, Plug-in Hybrids: The Cars that Will Recharge America, published
in February 2007, Sherry Boschert argues that large-format NiMH batteries
are commercially viable but that Cobasys refuses to sell or license them to
small companies or individuals
|
|
|
|