Originally Posted by
cyclops2
Life cells & batteries are not the same quality as A123. They are not a patented process. They can be made with anything they desire to make it with..
LIFEPO4 is only used in A123 cells & batteries.
Hey Cyclops, I think the confusion comes from the RC industry and the desire to shorten the names as much as possible.
LiFePO4 is the base material used on all LiFe packs.
LiFe, LiFePO4, LFP, Lithium Iron Phosphate - these are all interchangeably used.
One area where the A123 Systems LiFe battery really excels is in it's plating process. The A123 cells use what they call a form of nano technology in their plating process that allows the cell to dump higher currents with lower voltage drops. The plating process also allows for a much larger cathode surface area. This surface area is critical as in all batteries, the chemical reaction that takes place consumes the cathode material. When you have more cathode surface area, degradation will take longer increasing the cycle life of the battery.