Munich, November 7, 2008 - Saft, world specialist in the design and manufacture of high batteries for industry, is presenting two new developments in lithium battery technology for electronics applications at Electronica 2008. They are: the LS 14500 primary lithium cell - now upgraded to offer a best in class capacity of 2.6 Ah and the MP 176065 HD Integration - a new very high drain version of the MP Integration series rechargeable Li-ion (lithium-ion) cells.

The nominal capacity of Saft's LS 14500 lithium-thionyl chloride (Li-SOCl2) cylindrical AA-size cells has now increased to a best in class 2.6 Ah. The life of primary cell is directly linked to its capacity. So this increase from the LS 14500's previous 2.45 Ah capacity offers a useful 6% extra battery life that puts Saft's cell well ahead of the opposition in applications where longivity is essential.

The increased capacity for the LS 14500 cell results from Saft's programme of continuous improvement. The cell has a nominal voltage of 3.6 V, provides a continuous current of 70 mA, with pulses up to 280 mA, and can operate over a wide temperature range from -60°C to +85°C.

An important feature of the LS 14500 is its low self-discharge rate - less than one per cent after one year of storage at +20°C.

Saft LS 14500 primary lithium cells are ideally suited for a wide variety of profesional electronic applications including: utility metering; automatic meter reading; alarms and security devices; tollgate systems; memory back-up; tracking systems; automotive electronics; professional electronics.